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We're sharing our episode a few days early this week and it contains two segments. Jay Ward Hunger Strike First up, a recent interview with James “Jay” Ward. Jay was featured in a show about a year ago: he went into prison at 15 years old in Ohio and has been in for 19 years at this point. He participated in the 2018 Nationwide Prisoner Strike as well as other self-advocacy protests since and is trying to raise funds with his outside supporters to pay for a lawyer to help him win his release as his mandatory minimum date comes up next year. When this was recorded, Jay was 11 days into a hunger strike demanding a return of his personal items and a transfer to a space where he won't be targeted for violence by gangs, alongside a couple of other requests listed in his letter at the end of this post. You can hear how tired he is from subsisting only on water for the last week and a half, struggling to keep focus and concentrate on the conversation throughout our chat. You can find his gofundme for updates and ways to donate. If you want to support his hunger strike, his supporters are requesting people call between 9am and 5pm central time (Mon-Fri) the following numbers to voice concern for the safety and conditions of James Ward A517461 on hunger strike : Mansfield Correctional Institution at 419-525-4455 and ask to talk to Warden Harold May the Central ODRC office at 614-387-0588 At the bottom of our show notes you can find Jay's public announcement of his circumstances and requests. You can also email your concerns to drc.manci@odrc.state.ohio.us as well as to the ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith (via annette.chambers-smith@odrc.state.ohio.us ). Jay is wanting people to reach out to contact him via his mailing address (below) or JPay.com (using the info in his mailing address): James Ward A517461 Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Mail Processing Center (OMPC) 884 Coitsville-Hubbard Road Youngstown, Ohio 44505 Antifascist Voices in Europe Then you'll hear an interview conducted by our comrades at crna luknja in Ljubljana, Slovenia with antifascists countering neonazi demonstrations in Budapest, Hungary, and Sofia, Bulgaria. This was featured in the latest episode of B(A)D News from the A-Radio Network, a monthly podcast from a network that we affiliate with and worth checking out for “angry voices from around the world”. Finally, you'll hear Sean Swain's promise for a brighter, goldener era for the USA (and subsequently the world) Announcements Malik Muhammad Phone Zap There's a phone zap currently on to move 2020 "Palestinian pansexual Muslim... anarchist antifascist, anti-racist abolitionist" prisoner Malik Muhammad out of solitary confinement at Snake River Correctional in Oregon. Call Snake River Correctional with the following demands weekdays between 9am and 5pm pacific time: Return Malik to general inmate population; Restore communications rights and mail; Return all books and possessions immediately; End the persecution now! Master Control: 541-881-5018 Superintendent: 541-881-5002 Inspector: 541-881-5081 Chaplains: 541-881-4624, 541-881-4625, 541-881-4626, 541-881-4686 General Line: 541-881-5000 Please write to Malik and let him know you stand with him! Malik Muhammad #23935744 Snake River Correctional Institution 777 Stanton Blvd Ontario, OR 97914-8335 *Note*: Please include page numbers and return addresses on each page because the prison typically does not give inmates the envelopes. Update on Fund Raising and supporting TFSR A quick update to the patreon request we made in recent episodes: We're back where we were a month ago, covering the basic costs. Big thanks to those who stepped up to help! We have other costs beyond that (printing and mailing our small contribution to prisoner zines per month, replenishing our stickers, equipment upgrades) that we could also use support in if you have a few bucks a month. We have that patreon with it's early audio releases and other thank-yous, or anonymized payments via liberapay that can be one-time or recurring. We also have a big cartel store with some merch and can take payments via venmo and paypal. These are linked at https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/donate If you appreciate the work we do but don't have the extra money, the best way to contribute is to get involved in face to face organizing where you are, integrating movements against oppression and capitalism into your life and brings others along with you since we can't get there without each other. If you want to support the podcast without money, you can spread word about the podcast by getting in touch, offering up graphic skills, helping us proof our transcripts, talking about us to friends, incorporating our zines or episodes into a discussion group, sending zines to prisoners, rating us on google and apple podcasts or spreading word on social media. We also take audio submissions and if you're interested in getting involved, the production and interviews don't get us paid but they open up avenues to talk to authors about their ideas as well as raise awareness and involvement in social struggles and pick up the skills along the way. And if you live in a place with a community radio station, public radio station or college radio station and want to hear us on the airwaves, get a few friends together and reach out to suggest our free, weekly radio show and hopefully some of the ideas will filter out to your neighbors. More info at our Radio tab. Thanks for listening! Statement from Jay on his conditions This is Jay's letter to the head of the Ohio DRC: Dear Annette chambers-smith This is James Ward from ManCI. The last time I wrote to you I had explained a lot to you that has been going on here concerning my safety. And after that letter the administration got mad at me for going to you because they have not been trying to do anything to really ensure my safety here at Mansfield. And I'm writing you again because I don't know who else to go to with my recent situation and concerns, because nobody has been helpful. And currently, my safety is back at risk. About 7 months ago right before the admin got the letter I sent you, UMC Henry got me placed in unit 4B (the faith based block here), mainly for my safety concerns. Every block that I've been put in since I been here, I've became a victim to gangs and have also got a hit put on me, which UMC Henry and the rest other admin doesn't want to believe although they seen and heard proof. So it makes it to where I have to go on PC invest, suicide watch or hunger strike to ensure my safety. But I honestly don't like being in the hole unless I legitimately did something wrong. So my current situation is that I am on hunger strike to ensure my safety, but also for other reasons that I will explain. When I got put in 4B, its an inmate that the unit refers to as frank (4B/128 bottom) and they basically let him control the operation of the block. How? He's been in that block for a long time and manages the faith base programs, etc. But due to the reputation he has built up with the unit staff, Sgt Knowlton and others believes everything he tells them. So when I first got moved over their, I was honestly selling food to people that didn't have any. But frank went to the unit and told them that I was selling drugs to try and get me moved out of the block. The unit called me over and talked to me about it and I stopped selling food for awhile. I was do in everything I was required to do and haven't got no ticket. Recently, I was trying to organize a group meal for people that really didn't have much. And an inmate named Green wanted to be involved. But when I told Green that a prisoner support group was going to do a fundraiser to raise the money for the meal he backed out. He then went to inmate frank and told frank that I was trying to scam people and get them outside cases. Franks celly told me that frank said this and was going to put a stop to what I was doing. Next thing you know I'm on the list to move out of the block ( I was sent to 2B). I then sent a kite to Sgt. Knowlton and basically asked him why I got moved and also told him things that frank and others are doing in that block, but he disregarded everything I told him and only told me "you were doing too much, use your imagination". So I then kited UMC Henry and told him what happened and he said he'd look into it. But before Henry could let me know anything, my Cally told me that someone wanted him to take the hit on me. I then went on suicide watch to ensure my safety. Because PC invest has not gotten me anything and they put you in a cell with someone else that can have their family look you up. That's what people do here (sneak thru your stuff to find your ID number and have their family look you up). And I also started my hunger strike because I know that the admin won't do anything to help me. Recently, henry talked to me and said that he will investigate what happened in 4B, but that a hunger strike isn't how I will get moved back. But for me to go to a regular block while he investigates. And I get it that a hunger strike is not the way to get moved back, but I refuse to go to a regular block where my safety will be at risk. Henry wanting me to go to a regular block while he investigates is like saying go get jumped on while I look into this. 4C is the only block here that I will be safe in, because its the intake block (all of the new people that don't know anything about e hit on me goes to that block), but Henry will not put me there. During the time that I was on PC invest before I got moved to 4B, I found out that property of mine came up missing from the TPU vault. While I was in TPU I was writing complaints on LT. Brooks and Sgt. Risner for not allowing me to do my 2.4. The end result was that the active AIIS at the time (B. Lower) and the IIS D. Blankenship falsified a modified response to my complaint to make it seem like I was lying and that they found the items in my cell. But 2 days before Lower came to search my cell, I was called to the inspectors office concerning my lost property because someone in your office wanted to know what property was I talking about in my complaint. So I told them everything and that a theft report was filed. But the theft report was not put on onbase yet, so lower had to contact the block officer that wrote it (officer Comstock). So they called me back up to the inspectors office and offered to reimburse me with $42+ on my commissary and a few items from contraband. So I told them I'd think about it. They called me back up the next day and I told them I didn't want it because they wouldn't replace everything I was missing. So the next day after that is when lower came to search my cell. And when he left he told me that I should have taken the deal. After that, IIS Blankenship wrote 13 false statements in her modified response, which is a criminal offence that I can prove with the paperwork that I have. And now they have lower walking around as a Lt. Blankenship was already caught falsifying state documents in Darryl Smith' lawsuit. I been 5 years R.I.B ticket free. 3 of those years was when I was in level 4. I been here 2 years with no real trouble. The first year when I went up for my security review it was said that I needed time to adjust. This past year when I went up, the admin recommended level decrease. But then I find out that I didn't get my level dropped, because an incident that took place 8 years ago and isn't true. The BOC said that my level decrease was denied because I tried to kill a staff. I've never been a threat to anybody since I been locked up. And the time that they referred to is when I had just got put in a regular cell on suicide watch. They didn't have a crisis cell to use. So the cuff port had to stay open. And I had joked with the officer saying that I found a razor, so without really knowing if I had one he sprayed me in the face with OC. So they removed me from the cell to clean it, but they never found a razor. And I told them not to put that officer back on my watch cuz he sprayed me for no reason, and I was honestly mad. But they put him back on my watch. So to try and get him off my watch, in a fast motion I acted like I was reaching out to grab him. He was too far from the door for me to grab or anything, but he wrote me up saying that I tried to cut him with a razor. And they never allowed me to go to my R.I.B or SMP hearing. But that happened 8 years ago. And majority of that time since then I have continuously show a dramatic change in my behavior with no R.I.B tickets. I believe the only reason my level decrease was denied is because UMC Henry contacted someone in your office to find something that they can use against me to hold me here. Because I have wrote complaints against Henry and wrote that letter to you. And he knows how much I been wanting to leave this prison, but he won't transfer me even though my safety is continuously at risk here. Lastly! I have chronic damage in both of my shoulders that causes them to be able to dislocate if I'm not paying attention to how I use my arms, mainly only when it comes to having my arms outstretched or if I have to climb something. The last time I was placed on the top bunk, my left shoulder dislocated when I was trying to climb up. I feel backwards and busted my head open on a dresser, then on the floor. And that is in my medical record from when I was at W.C.I. And since then, I have had many other dislocations that is in my medical record. I was given bottom rack restriction each time, but I never really needed it since I been at level 4. Since I been here I been trying to get it back but medical tells me its not required for my injuries. They gave it to me for 3 months and that was it. If my shoulder dislocates while trying to climb onto the top bunk and I bust my head open again, then I can sue the medical department for negligence and deliberate indifference because I have told them about my chronic dislocations and they choose not to do anything about it. All I ask for: 1) My property to be replaced 2) My bottom bunk restriction 3) My level decreased so I can leave ManCI 4) If I can't get 3, then I ask to be placed in 4C for the remaining time that I'm at ManCI These are reasonable request and within reason.
This week, we're featuring three segments in our episode. First up, you'll hear Maru Mora-Villalpando talking about the immigration prison known as the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, WA and the organizing that her organization La Resistencia does to shut down this private prison run by Geo Group. [ 00:00:54 - 00:44:00 ] Then, a member of Pittsburgh Fash Watch, an antifascist group, talks about their mobilization and unmasking of white supremacists in their area, such as WLM and Goyim Defense League (GDL) chud Brandon Cahall. [ 00:45:07 - 00:54:42] Transcript Finally, Sean Swain addresses post-election ennui. [ 00:54:45-end ] . ... . .. Featured Track: Bella Ciao by Leslie Fish
This week we're featuring three segments. First up, you'll a conversation I had with Asphalt, a supporter of a recent federal grand jury resister in Charleston, South Carolina. [00:04:53 - 00:36:28] After that Cyprus Hartford, the grand jury resister, speaks for herself and reads her statement of resistance and here's her GoFundMe. [00:36:28 - 00:40:39] Finally, you can find an interview that Ian did with Marisa Holmes and Molly of the Metropolitan Anarchist Coordinating Committee about their recent anarchist film festival. [00:42:32 - 01:01:29] Then you'll hear Sean Swain's review of the presidential debate [01:02:06 - 01:09:16] Past GJ Eps Steve Martinez resists NoDAPL GJ in 2021 Jeremy Hammond resists Wikileaks-related GJ in 2019 & 2020 Chelsea Manning resists Wikileaks-related GJ in 2019 Katie Yow resists NC GJ in 2017 Standing Rock GJ resistance in 2016 Jerry Koch resists NYC GJ in 2013 Resistance to GJ in Pacific Northwest in 2013 ( 1 & 2) San Francisco GJ with Ian Coldwater in 2012 Federal Grand Juries By way of introduction to this first segment, I'd like to remind people that none of the people speaking about grand juries here are lawyers, but we are sharing information we've gotten from lawyers and legal experts to the best of our abilities. I'm going to read a bit from the website NCResistsTheGrandJury.Wordpress.Com: What is a Grand Jury? In the federal legal system, the grand jury is used to decide whether someone should be charged (“indicted”) for a serious crime. The grand jury hears evidence presented by the prosecutor: the U.S. Attorney. The grand jury uses subpoenas to gather this evidence. It can subpoena documents, physical evidence, and witnesses to testify. The “special” federal grand jury, created in 1970, can be used to investigate “possible” organized criminal activity rather than a specific crime. The California legal system also has grand juries, but it is optional whether criminal prosecutions are initiated by grand jury indictment, or by a complaint by the District Attorney and preliminary hearing before a judge. How is a Grand Jury Different Than a Trial Jury? Unlike the “petit” jury, which is used to determine guilt in a trial, a grand jury consists of 16 to 23 jurors who are not screened for bias. The purpose of the grand jury is not to determine guilt or innocence, but to decide whether there is probable cause to prosecute someone for a felony crime. The grand jury operates in secrecy and the normal rules of evidence do not apply. The prosecutor runs the proceedings and no judge is present. Defense lawyers are not allowed to be present in the grand jury room and cannot present evidence, but may be available outside the room to consult with witnesses. The prosecutor and the grand jury members may not reveal what occurred in the grand jury room and witnesses cannot obtain a transcript of their testimony. How Has the Grand Jury Been Used by the State? Because of their broad subpoena powers and secretive nature, grand juries have been used by the government to gather information on political movements and to disrupt those movements by causing fear and mistrust. The grand jury lends itself to being used for improper political investigation due in part to the prosecutor's ability to question witnesses without regard for rules that prohibit irrelevant, unreliable or unlawfully obtained evidence. Those called before the grand jury may be compelled to answer any question, even those relating to lawful personal and political activities. That information has been used by the government as a basis to conduct further surveillance and disruption of political dissent. When used against political movements, the grand jury causes fear and mistrust because persons who refuse to answer questions about their First Amendment political activities, friends and associates may be jailed for the life of the grand jury: up to 18 months. If a witness asserts their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, they may be forced to accept immunity or go to jail for contempt. Even a witness who attempts to cooperate can be jailed if minor inconsistencies are found in their testimony. Such a perjury charge may stand even when the grand jury fails to hand down any indictment for what it was ostensibly investigating. The grand jury is a complicated and opaque process, by design. Our movements have decades of experience resisting grand juries, and there are resources available to learn more and support those who resist. If you have been contacted by federal law enforcement, the National Lawyers Guild has a national federal defense hotline at 212-679-2811. . ... . .. Featured Track: Setting Sun (instrumental) by The Chemical Brothers from Setting Sun
This week, we're sharing two segments. Addameer on Palestinian Prisoners First up, we spoke with Tala Nasser of the Palestinian prisoner human rights group, Al-Addameer which has offices in Jerusalem or Al-Quds, as well as in Ramallah. We speak about the report they released on Palestinian Prisoners day, April 17th, on the conditions of Palestinian prisoners, particularly since October 7th, 2023 including in Gaza since the invasion. More info on the group and their findings can be found at addameer.org A-Radio Berlin on new TTRPG "Oceania 2084" Then, we'll hear a segment by our comrades at A-Radio Berlin speaking with Johan Eriksson, an anarchist game designer has recently published such an RPG called “Oceania 2084“, based on George Orwell's novel “1984”. You can find more of about the game including a free austere pdf of the gameplay at jocher-symbolic-systems.itch.io , and you can hear more audios from A-Radio Berlin at aradio-berlin.org . Sean Swain's 2024 Presidential Run For the sake of anyone in the office of Attorney General of Ohio if they're listening: this segment is political satire. We feel it's necessary to make this disclaimer as they referenced a spoof press conference for Sean as governor in exile of Ohio on the January 18th, 2015 radio segment in court filings to prove how dangerous Sean is, while actually just showing how stupid hierarchs are. Midweek Release: Yaffa As In case you missed mid-week release of our interview with Yaffa As, a queer and trans Palestinian poet, author, publisher and activist living in the diaspora about two recent collections they published as well as mutual aid and fundraising to get queer Palestinians out of range of Israeli genocide. . ... . .. Featured Track: Ya Taali'een ‘ala el-Jabal (Oh you, climbing up the mountain) by Rim Banna from The Dream
This week, we're featuring four segments. First up, you'll hear a chat with organizers of the 2024 Heart of the Valley Anticapitalist Bookfair which ran its first iteration in Corvallis, Oregon from January 19-21st. A zine of their experiences will appear on that blog soon. [ -> 00:24:18 ] Then, you'll hear a brief segment updating listeners on the conspiracy case against six anarchists and antifascists in Russia known as the Tyumen case (for where it initiated). The six anarchists, some of whom barely knew each other, were tortured into confessions of conspiracy to further anarchist ideology and damage the Russian war machine. [ 00:24:34 - 00:32:53 ] Transcription PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed) Following this, we spoke with Aster, a European anarchist involved in the counter-surveillance and anti-repression project known as the No Trace Project which works to share information about known methods and cases of state surveillance. The project does this in order to improve and expand our collective knowledge, tools and abilities at evading state crackdowns as we organize and act. This interview was conducted via encrypted messages and Aster's portion is being read by an unrelated volunteer. [ 00:35:47 - 01:05:18 ] Transcript in English Transcription en Français PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed) If you plan to visit their site, we suggest at least running a VPN (riseup.net has a free one) and using an anonymized browser. One method is to download the tor browser (find your device/operating system at ssd.eff.org for some tips) and visit the NoTrace Project tor address. Their website can also be found at https://NoTrace.How Finally, you'll hear Sean Swain's reading of names of people killed by cops in the USA during October of 2023. [ 01:09:50 ] Tyumen Links Tyumen Case Support Crew's Russian-language Telegram: https://t.me/tumenskoedelo Articles on the case and individuals on Avtonom: https://avtonom.org/en/taxonomy/term/1761 Music by some of the imprisoned men appear in a compilation to fundraise for their legal funds: https://blackploshad.bandcamp.com/album/music-of-antifascist-prisoners-tortured-by-the-police-tyumen-case . ... . .. Featured Tracks: День дизертира ( Deserter's Day) by Rasputin Меланхолия (Melancholy) by Rocker Balboa
This week on the show, we're starting out with an interview with Lo and Meghan, two supporters of Jewish independent journalist, artist and antifascist leftist from Albany, NY, Alex Stokes Contompasis. Alex is serving a 20 year sentence for defending himself and 3 other community members attacked by Proud Boys and Oath Keepers at the New York state capital on January 6th, 2021. For the hour, we speak with Lo and Meghan, two friends and supporters of Alex who talk about Alex's media work, the politically-charged court case and his ongoing appeal. More on his case can be found at FreeAlexStokes.Com, you can order his artwork to support his case there as well. They mentioned getting support & attention from the International Anti-Fascist Defence Fund. Then, you'll hear an interview from our comrades at Frequenz-A in so-called Germany with a recent interview of Anya of the grassroots group called Solidarity Zone that offers legal, media and other support to people facing charges for anti-war direct actions inside of Russia to speak about their work and the case of Ruslan Siddiqui, an anarchist who does not deny railway sabotage against the Russian war efforts in Ukraine. This first aired on episode 75 of B(A)D News: Angry Voices From Around The World from the A-Radio Network. Solidarity Zone Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solidarityzone Telegram: https://t.me/solidarity_zone Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/solidarity_zone LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/solidarity_zone Email: solidarity_zone(at )riseup.net Finally, you'll hear Sean Swain reading from an incomplete list of people killed by law enforcement in the USA during the month of April 2023. Announcements Red Onion Hunger Strike Phone Zap The saga at Red Onion continues, with more than 30 participants. Participants are asking supporters to call the Governor and the Virginia Department of Corrections to demand that the Red Onion follows state restrictions on solitary confinement. Kevin "Rashid" Johnson is additionally requesting his treatment for congestive heart failure and prostate cancer that he be moved from Red Onion to a facility like Sussex I or Buckingham that are near to large medical facilities. You can hear a recent interview we had with a comrade of Rashid and see a roundtable of comrades of Rashid on Black Power Media recently talking about his situation. Here's a social media post with all of the pertinent information: https://kolektiva.social/@BlueRidgeABC/111868911724769356 VADOC Central Administration USPS P.O. Box 26963; Richmond, VA 23261 David Robinson Phone: 804-887-8078 Email: david.robinson@vadoc.virginia.gov VADOC Director, Chadwick S Dotson Phone: 804-674-3081 Email: Chadwick. Dotson@vadoc.virginia.gov VADOC Central Administration Rose L. Durbin Phone: 804-887-7921 Email: Rose. Durbin@vadoc.virgina.gov Beth Cabell, Division of Institutions Phone: 804-834-9967 Email: beth.cabell@vadoc.virginia.gov Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin Phone: 804-786-2211 Email: glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov Sample script: I am calling in support of the hunger strikers at Red Onion State Prison. I am concerned about the serious health effects of long-term solitary confinement and other illegal and brutal methods of confinement including sensory deprivation. Please end the use of these practices. I am also seriously concerned for the health of Kevin ‘Rashid' Johnson, as he is being prevented from accessing care for his health conditions. Please move him back to Sussex I or to Buckinghm, near a major medical facility, so that he can resume cancer and cardiac treatment. Thank you. Support Guarani M'Bya in Brazil from FireFund.Net: This campaign aims to support two native land in São Paulo south and also, others in state interior and coastal zones. Our goals is to restore and expand the prayer house (Opy'i) and communal kitchen, plant native trees and subsistence foodsuch as corn, rice, potato and others, distribute water and generate clean energy collected from surrounding rivers, support the cerimonies, and other constructions such as houses and other demands that the comunitie brings to us. Also carry out the construction of ecological bathrooms and support the school located in the land. These are some of the missions and commitments we have to native people here in São Paulo. . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Get It Together (Buck Wild Instrumental) by The Beastie Boys High Water Everywhere, Part 2 by Charlie Patton from Complete Recordings 1929-1934
This week on the show, we're featuring three segments. First up, you'll hear part of an interview with Shupavu wa Kirima, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Intercommunal Black Panther Party, comes on to talk to us about the ongoing hunger strike among prisoners at Red Onion State Prison in Virginia protesting the abuse of solitary confinement and the medical status of hunger striker Kevin “Rashid” Johnson. More at https://RashidMod.Com [00:01:18 - 00:25:47] Then, Yuval Dag, an Israeli anarchist member of Mesarvot recently imprisoned for publicly refusing conscription, talks about draft refusal, opposing the war on Palestinians and the occupation and undoing zionist ideology. More at https://linktr.ee/meaarvot [00:27:31 - 01:06:13] Finally, you'll hear Sean Swain reading the names of people killed by US law enforcement during February 2023 [01:06:15 - 01:12:02] . ... . .. Featured Track: One Man Army (instrumental) by Rage Against The Machine
Sean Swain is an anarchist prisoner who's serving an indeterminate sentence in Ohio for a self-defense killing. Sean has authored 3 books (one co-authored with Travis Washington) and released an album of his music (with collaboration of a number of artists) while behind bars. Sean is also a dear friend and collaborator on The Final Straw for 10 years, now. We're sharing here a conversation Bursts had with Sean Swain to mark the 10th anniversary of Sean's (mostly) regular segments on the show, You Are The Resistance. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) The show notes will be chock full of links to segments and articles worth checking out, but you can find a full rundown of Sean's audios on the first link labeled “You Are The Resistance”, our first interview with him about the Army of the 12 Monkeys linked in the first paragraph and a whole bunch more writings and audio at SeanSwain.Org and at our website. You can find contact info there to reach out to Sean if you want to strike up a conversation. Links to materials as they come up in the conversation: You Are The Resistance Archive Sean's first segment an interview with Ben Turk Sean's writeup about the attempted cell extraction during A12M situation A12M inerview, Sean's first appearance on TFSR A12M writeup on Sean's blog (some broken links) Sean Swain Run for Governor 2014 A statement on 2014 segment by Sean about his Presidential run for 2016 Sean's OSP hungerstrike, one segment The FBI Can Go Fuck Itself Ohio: The Truth Behind Bob's Lanes online book LBC isn't online right now, but apparently a fuller version is in the published edition Ihsan reading a statement by Sean when Sean was incommunicado Some background on the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (per A12M as Animal Enterprise) and the Green Scare, our interview with Will Potter Sean Swain's folk punk album, Burning Down Sean Swain's finger getting cut off UNHCR testimony information Swain 2020 election discussion on AnarchistNews.Org Sean's post on losing his father Kevin Rashid Johnson's website Our interview with Rashid in 2018 A more recent interview with a comrade of Rashid about his medical neglect Sean's Opposing Torture book Other Interviews with Sean Swain Political Prisoners channel on YouTube Sean's Guerrilla Litigation and Re-Imagining Outside Support PrisonsKill interview with Sean on 12 Monkeys Celebrities reading Sean Swain's segments: John Zerzan The Stimulator
This week on the show, you'll hear Kazi Toure. Kazi is a former political prisoner from the Ohio 7 case and founding member of the Boston chapter of The National Jericho Movement. For the hour, Kazi and I talk about the history of Jericho Movement, supporting political prisoners and support for post-release and aging prisoners. You can find recent updates from the group at @OfficialJerichoBoston on Instagram. Kazi's appearances here before: 2015 Former Political Prisoner Panel (pt 1 & pt 2) 2016 Former Political Prisoner Panel (pt 1 & pt 2) Presentation at Burning Books in Buffalo New York Other Interviews Referenced: Dhoruba bin Wahad speaking about Police Unions on BPM / ImixWhatILike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hskjd7MRN_E Part of this episode was inspired by the call by Shaka Shakur in this episode of Millenials Are Killing Capitalism Two interviews Kazi's former co-defendant, Ray Luc Levasseur (pt 1 / pt 2) Then, Sean Swain's segment begins the annual tradition of reading the names of people killed by the police in the USA during the prior year. Stay tuned mid-week for a release of a 10 year anniversary chat with Sean about his life since he began participating in TFSR [00:55:58] Announcements Post-Release Fundraiser for Mwalimu Shakur Formerly incarcerated New Afrikan revolutionary activist Mwalimu Shakur has been released from prison after 20 years, Mwalimu was featured on this show twice talking about his organizing work. If you'd like to contribute to his post-release fund, consider donating to our paypal or venmo linked at our website or via this cashapp with Mwalimu support in the memo. You can find his former appearances on the show here. Hunger Strikes Grow More Dire at Red Onion Prison Several Virginia prisoners began a hunger strike on Tuesday, December 26 at Red Onion State Prison, protesting the continued use of long-term solitary confinement at the institution. Despite critical concern, outcry from the public and prisoner populations in the state, incarcerated people are still subjected to this brutal practice which has been renamed “restorative housing” since July 1, 2023 when measures were passed to limit its use in the state. Leading these prisoners in this effort is longtime prison activist, revolutionary writer and artist, Kevin “Rashid” Johnson. Rashid has stated that no one will take any food at all until demands are met. Some of the strike participants have underlying health concerns that make the undertaking of such a demonstration particularly risky. Rashid, himself, is recovering from multiple rounds of radiation to treat prostate cancer as well as suffering from untreated heart disease/congestive heart failure. This is why the public's support is especially needed. We are asking that calls, emails, and letters be sent to the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) officials as well as Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin's office voicing support for the strikers and condemnation for the inhumane use of long-term solitary confinement/restorative housing. PLEASE EVERY DAY THIS WEEK: call and email the following people demanding that the hunger strikers demands be met (end long term solitary confinement) and Rashid receive the medical care he has been denied for months, and that he be transferred immediately. If the latter is not an option, then demand an interstate compact transfer take place immediately. chadwick.dotson@vadoc.virginia.gov 804-674-3081 glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov 804-786-2211 ** Demand that the Governor intervene on Rashid's behalf and that an internal investigation be conducted immediately that would reveal why there were documents removed from his medical jacket and why his referrals to outside medical care were canceled. Joka Jeupe Mkali, AKA Komrade Shine White, who put out this call to action, said "Death is inevitable, but it mustn't be at the hands of some racist dogs. Rashid walks in shoes that cannot be filled, thus we must keep him walking in them as long as possible." Thank you for all you do to help prison rebels keep walking! Red Onion Hunger Strike Participants: Kevin “Rashid” Johnson – #1007485 Jason Barrett – #1092874 Rodney Lester – #1429887 Charles Cousino – #2213403 Eric Thompson – #1208012 Joe Thomas – 1193196 Nguyen Tuan – #1098070 Demetrius Walllace – #1705834 Gregory Binns – #1157265 P. Williams – #2103207 DeQuan Saunders – #1458253 J. Hilliard – #1988319 Ray Galloway – #1407902 Gregory Azeez – #1421616 Phone Zap for Aaron Isby-Israel at Plainfield CF in Indiana Aaron Isby has been facing increased harassment Plainfield the last few weeks. Details and the support script are available at IDOCWatch. Here's who to contact: Please call Plainfield CF and IDOC HQ, and email the Ombusdan and the Governor and demand that the harassment against Mr. Isby cease immediately and that he be provided full access to the law library in accordance with law and policy! Call IDOC HQ: (317) 232-5711 ext. 0 ext. 1 Call Plainfield CF: (317) 839-2513 ext. 7 ext. 9 Email the Ombudsman Bureau: idoa@ombud.in.gov Call & Email the Governor: https://www.in.gov/gov/ask-eric/ . ... . .. Featured Track: Water Got No Enemy by Fela Kuti from Expensive Shit
On this episode, Ian spoke with Adam Shapiro, Co-editor of We Are Many, a comics anthology released as part of the Cypher Zine project (@cypher_comics on Instagram) and published by Radix Media. The book pairs artists and activists to create narratives around the defense of women and sex workers around the globe. Among other topics, the conversation touches on the process of matching local artists with the activists on the ground, notions of human rights defense (as defined by UN guidelines) as it relates to autonomous, self-directed struggle. They also speak about the strengths and limitations of NGO-led initiatives, and the effects of emergent disasters on long-term organizing initiatives. But first, a Sean Swain shares his book reviews of 2023. . ... . .. Featured Track: Glaciers of Ice by El Michels Affair
Jewish Anti-Zionist in Palestine + Antifascists Repressed in Budapest [caption id="attachment_6854" align="alignleft" width="300"] Download This Episode[/caption] This week's show features four segments: an announcement from IGD Podcast; an anti-Zionist Jewish voice from Palestine; an interview of two anti-repression activists on the harassment of two antifascist activists in Budapest, Hungary; Sean Swain's segment. https://traffic.libsyn.com/thefinalstrawradio/tfsrpodcast-20231119-AntiZionistBudapest.mp3 Reflections of an Jewish Anti-Zionist from Palestine First up, we're featuring the voice of a Jewish anti-Zionist anarchist living in lands occupied by the Israeli state. We speak about some of his experiences of trying to resist the ongoing war against Palestinians, collaboration with Palestinian comrades against the occupation, the silencing of dissent during the escalation by the Israeli state and other topics. [ 00:07:28 - 00:50:13 ] For a very thoughtful series of podcasts about the situation in Palestine, check out the two recent episodes of the Its Going Down podcast (1st and 2nd). Palestinian Social Media Suggestions: Basel Adra: https://instagram.com/basilaladraa Ali Awad: https://instagram.com/ali_awad98 Sami H Huraini: https://instagram.com/samihuraini Youth of Sumud: https://instagram.com/youthofsumud Awdah Hathaleen: https://instagram.com/awdah.hathaleen Antifascists Repressed in Budapest Following this, you'll hear a segment by A-Radio Berlin (a co-member of the Channel Zero Network as well as the A-Radio Network with The Final Straw) about repression of antifascists recently under the far right Hungarian administration of Victor Orban. This also appeared in the November 2023 episode of Bad News, the monthly English-language podcast of the A-Radio Network. [ 00:52:10 - 01:05:53 ] Further links https://budapest-solidarity.net/ https://www.basc.news/ Sean Swain Sean Swain's segment this week airs at [ 01:05:57 ] . ... . .. Featured Tracks: We Roll (Instrumental) by Pete Rock from We Roll Until Palestine Is Free by Angelic Upstarts from Bullingdon Bastards
This week on The Final Straw, we're excited to share a panel discussion recorded at Firestorm Books entitled Against Genocide: A Palestinian Solidarity Panel, recorded on Sunday, October 22nd 2023. Transcription PDF (Unimposed) – pending Zine (Imposed PDF) – pending From the event description: “With the "iron-clad" support of the United States and other Western powers, Israel has made explicit its plan for the systematic destruction of Gaza and the Palestinian people. At this event, participants—including Palestinian and Jewish activists—will discuss the history of the occupation and the present campaign of dehumanization that's paving the way to genocide. We'll also explore the radical solidarities that are necessary to stop the assault on Gaza and secure a just peace. This event is a fundraiser for The Hebron International Resource Network (HIRN), an organization based in the West Bank that is working to house Gazan workers deported to the West Bank by Israeli forces. Please consider bringing a cash donation! Firestorm will additionally be donating the net proceeds from all sales in-store and online. Art by Heba Zagout, Palestinian artist killed with her two young children in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza on Friday, October 13.” Zines suggested by Milstein Inexorable Links by Zara from Interviews With Radical Palestinian Women Tkhines For A Free Palestine Kaddish For The Soul of Judaism: Genocide In Palestine Three Perspectives on Zionism, Jewishness, Class, and Liberation Jewish Currents Israel-Palestine Explainer Sean's Segment We're linking here to Sean Swain's most recent segment on the history of violence before the most recent escalation of war on the people of Gaza coming from the state of Israel. Announcement Support Former Political Prisoner Zolo Azania Former Black political prisoner and friend to many of us, Zolo Azania, needs our financial assistance to pay for important repairs on his car. He uses his car to drive to work. Details below. Please be generous. Zolo recently had a new transmission installed in his car along with other necessary repairs. The total bill came out to $4,659.51. He had put aside $1,200 for car repairs, therefore he needs another $3,459.51 in order to reclaim his car. After spending nearly 37 years in Indiana prisons, Zolo has been free for nearly 7 years now. After facing many challenges on the outside, we're very happy to say Zolo now owns a house! Of course he needs to pay a mortgage and pay for repairs and upkeep on the house. After working 5 years at low paying jobs, Zolo was recently able to obtain a better paying job with benefits. This job requires a commute which is difficult on public transportation. Zolo would like to avoid excessive charges for the dealership to store his car. If Zolo cannot pay this repair bill he risks losing his car altogether. Zolo appreciates any donation but please be as generous as you can. You can send donations to him via Zelle, Venmo or Cash App ($ZoloAzania5). His accounts are under “Zolo Azania” Bad News #72 Online Now! You can find the October 2023 episode of the English-language BAD News: Angry Voices From Around The World podcast produced by the A-Radio Network online now, featuring a short version of our interview about the December 8th case in France, updates from Greece by way of the comrades in Thessaloniki at 1431AM Free Social Radio, and Frequenz-A about the about the Karl Helga Wagenplatz in Leipzig, which is under the threat of ever-present forces of gentrification.
Stop Cop City Movement RICO Indictments (with Matt Scott of ACPC) This week, we're featuring an interview with Matt Scott of the Atlanta Community Press Collective update us on the movement to Stop Cop City in light of the recent indictment of 61 people on Racketeering charges by the state of Georgia at the end of August and the legal shenanigans of the city to block a public referendum on the police training center that would destroy the south Atlanta forest and river. We'll also hear about recent non-violent civil disobediences and the call for a mass action on November 13th, 2023 (with a multi-city info-tour in the buildup). Follow ACPC: website: https://ATLPressCollective.com XTwitterX: @Atlanta_Press Instagram: @ATLPressCollective Mastodon: @Atlanta_Press/@kolektiva.social Tax Deductible Donations: Open Collective page Other DTF / Stop Cop City Movement Media: Cop City Vote: website & XTwitterX Defend The Atlanta Forest: website , XTwitterX, Instascam, Fedbook Block Cop City website Then, you'll hear a segment by anarchist prisoner, Sean Swain on alien abductions. Belarusian and Ukrainian Anarchist Perspectives We released a recording of a panel from St-Imier, Switzerland, this July where Belarusian and Ukrainian anarchists talked about their experiences in the last few years since the uprising against Lukashenko and the escalation in the Russian invasion. You can check it out at our website or in our podcast stream: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2023/09/13/ukrainian-belarusian-perspectives-on-resisting-russian-invasion/ . ... . .. Featured Track: They Want Efx (instrumental) by Das efx
This week, we're sharing 3 segments. First up, Josh Davidson from the Certain Days: Freedom For Political Prisoners Calendar talks about the upcoming book that he co-edited with political prisoner Eric King from AK Press entitled RATTLING THE CAGES: Oral Histories of North American Political Prisoners, containing over 450 pages of first hand experiences of resisting from within the belly of the beast across generations and movements in Turtle Island. And you can find out more about the Running Down The Walls events at ABCF.Net/WarChest [00:01:22 - 00:28:15] Then, we're sharing Sean Swain's segment on Goyaałé, aka Geronimo. [00:29:14 - 00:38:27] Finally, we'll be sharing a panel discussion by members of the A-Radio Network recorded on Saturday, July 22nd 2023 at the International Anarchist Gathering at St-Imier, Jura, Switzerland on the history and role of radio in anarchist and anti-authoritarian resistance, mostly in Europe. If you're listening to the live radio edition, you'll hear about 1/3 of that segment, but can hear the whole thing at our website, TheFinalStrawRadio.NoBlogs.Org or at A-Radio-Network.Org [00:38:27 - 01:36:45] . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Let The Music Play by Arpeggio from Disco Boogie Funk Italo Rare 1970 - 1980
On The Work of Sex Work with Matilda Bickers We're happy to share our recent chat with Matilda Bickers, co-editor and contributor to the recent PM Press collection Working It: Sex Workers on the Work of Sex. For the hour we talk about labor organizing in the erotic industries, Matilda's past experiences in publishing, hangups around sex work in radical communities and related topics. Harm Reduction and Advocacy Green Light Project, Seattle Twitter: @GLPsea Facebook: @GreenLightProjectSea Cashapp: $GreenLightProject or Paypal donations Bay Area Worker Support website: BayAreaWorkersSupport.org/ Dancers Resource on Instagram StrollPDX (instagram) We Too: Essays on Sex Work and Survival anthology StripperWeb forum archive Strip Club Unionization Stripper Strike NoHo Twitter and LinkTree Magic Tavern Dancers Instagram @MagicTavernDancers Organizing Fundraiser on GoFundMe Updates from Chiapas Then, Črna luknja shares an interview with a comrade who's been living and active in solidarity with the Zapatista communities in Chiapas, so-called Mexico, about increasing violence and fears of civil war. This segment appeared in the June 2023, the 69th episode of BAD News from the A-Radio Network. [ 00:43:02 - 01:01:56[ You can hear some live audio this week starting on July 19th and until July 23rd from the St-Imier anarchist and anti-authoritarian gathering in Switzerland, including audio from the A-Radio Network. More info on that at https://anarchy2023.org/en/radio Sean Swain's segment Following this is Sean Swain's segment [ 01:01:56 - 01:09:54] . … . .. Featured Track: Patricia's Moving Picture by The Go! Team from Proof of Youth
This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with supporters of incarcerated anarchist and antifascist, Dan Baker about the case and the support fundraiser. In the conversation, Dan's friend Eric and Dan's partner Pinky are joined by the main person behind Mongoose distro talks about publishing radical prisoner while 2 members of Orange County Anarchist Black Cross (Big Cartel shop) talk about the ABC Federation War Chest, the upcoming Pushing Down The Walls (Instagram) burpee challenge and the efforts of indigenous anarchist prisoner Oso Blanco to support indigenous children's education and the book of poetry and short fiction he recently co-authored entitled The Blue Agave Revolution: Poetry of the Blind Rebel. **Just a headsup, after the interview took place, Daniel Baker started using they/them pronouns, so during this conversation we're using the incorrect pronouns.** By the time you hear this interview, we're hoping Dan will have been released from prison. Dan has sorted out housing for their release into Florida but you can help with getting him on their feet by donating at Fundraizr.com/DanBaker2023 Announcement Phone & Email Zap for Rashid But quick a short message from supporters of political prisoner, Kevin Rashid Johnson of the Revolutionary Intercommunalist Black Panther Party whose struggle with cancer we spoke about in our December 11, 2022 episode and interviewed a few years earlier: We learned yesterday that the prison administration at Sussex 1 suddenly stopped taking Rashid for the radiation treatments for the prostate cancer he is suffering and threw him in the hole, with none of his belongings, very uncomfortable. Their excuse? A guard accuses him of transporting drugs into the prison in the prison vehicle transporting him between the prison and the hospital where he has been receiving the treatments. This is definitely not something Rashid does! Remember, Rashid was forced to wait over a year between diagnosis and beginning of treatment, and now, it appears that treatment is being interrupted. His comrade reports: "He is in Administrative Segregation, following a treatment visit at the hospital. This is something [the radiation treatments] that he has been doing for some time now. He states that he has about 2 weeks of treatment left & he thinks that they are trying to disrupt the treatment. He has no property in the cell, It's stripped bare, no blanket, sheets, nor mattress. The toilet is not working, no running water. The pigs had been acting strange since last week , constantly surveilling him , even while in then BR. The report they got that they trashed his cell & were gathering all of his property while he was away for his treatment. He thinks it is a set up. He thinks there should be a phone & email zap.” Here are people to contact to complain about this treatment. Please call and email these authorities—more than once. Sussex I State Prison Warden Beth Cabell, Lead Warden, Phone: (804) 834-9967 Snail mail address: 24414 Musselwhite Drive Waverly, VA 23891 Director of Health Services, VADOC, Steve Herrick Steve.herrick@vadoc.virginia.gov and ruth.smith@vadoc.virginia.gov. (804) 887-8118 Director of Corrections, VADOC, Harold Clarke Director.Clarke@vadoc.virginia.gov (804) 674-3000 . ... . .. Featured Track: Supernature by Cerrone from Cerrone III Back To You by The Hills The Rivers (written by Sean Swain) from Burning Down: The Songs of Anarchist Prisoner Sean Swain
This week, we're sharing two portions. Transcript of SFLARC PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) South Florida Anti-Repression Committee [00:05:37 - 00:54:07] First up, a chat with two members of the South Florida Anti-Repression Committee doing solidarity for the 4 queer activists facing up to 12 years in Federal prison on charges related to graffiti at a Pregnancy Crisis Center, aka a building funded by church and state to dissuade people from getting abortions. The Department of Justice is charging them under the FACE Act, a criminal law passed in the 1990's to stop threats, violence and blockades against health clinics that offered like abortions, screenings, contraception and other services under attack by religious extremists in the USA. There are also Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, known also as a SLAPP suits being brought by a Miami-based Christian anti-abortion Crisis Pregnancy Center called Heartbeat of Miami as well as the state of Florida against the accused apparently intended to have a chilling effect and minimize their ability to defend themselves against the Federal indictments. Oso and Hunter of SFLARC talk about the arrests, about the defendants and the rising tide of gender fascism and war on bodily autonomy in DeSantis' Florida and around the country. https://reprolegaldefensefund.org/ https://bit.ly/supportourfighters https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fllegaldefense Link Tree Anti-Fascist March in Bulgaria [00:56:35 - 01:02:18] Following this, we're sharing audio from the February 2023 episode of Bad News, a monthly English-language podcast from the A-Radio Network. In this segment, you'll hear comrades from Crna Luknja show on Radio Študent speakin with an activist in Sofia, Bulgaria about the antifascist mobilization known as Anti-lukovmarsh, which will take place on 25th February under the slogan “No Nazis On Our Streets” – This is a manifestation against one of the biggest international neo-nazi gatherings (Lukov March). You can find more info at: http://antifa-bulgaria.org. Announcements Support Parole for Sundiata Jawanza Political prisoner and activist Sundiata Jawanza in South Carolina has an upcoming parole and is looking for support. You can learn more about his case at https://www.sundiatajawanza.com/ Alfredo Cospito Ends Hunger Strike As you'll hear in Sean Swain's segment, Alfredo Cospito continues to languish in 41bis close custody. After Sean recorded this segment, Alfredo ended his hunger strike of roughly 5 months. You can learn more at AbolitionMediaWorldwide. You can hear our interview last year on the conditions of 41bis with anarchists in Italy here: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2022/10/30/solidarity-with-prisoner-resistance-from-alabama-to-italy/ . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Gentleman by Fela Kuti from Gentleman Yes All Cops by Worriers from Imaginary Life
This week on the show, we're sharing two local conversations with community organizers providing mutual aid in Asheville, NC. 2022 NYE Noise Demo & Bailout First up, we're sharing a short interview with Beck of Pansy Collective, a queer DIY benefit booking collective responsible for Pansy Fest. Beck talks about the 2022 New Years Eve noise demonstration and bailout that Pansy helped to fundraise for (alongside the Asheville Community Bail Fund), as well as the Buncombe County Jail being reported by the Citizen Times newspaper as the deadliest jail in North Carolina as of January 2021. Asheville Water Crisis Then, we you'll hear Elliot of Asheville Survival Program (Instagram or FB), M of Asheville for Justice and Moira talk about the water crisis that started on December 24th, the city's response, how mutual aid stepped up to distribute water and more. To read statements by the 16th people facing felony littering and other charges for mutual work and solidarity here in Asheville, check out AVLSolidarity.NoBlogs.Org, or check out our transcripts or episodes from (10/31/21, 12-26-21, 5-15-22) for more words from the groups involved. You can also check our show notes for links to other projects mentioned here and if you listen to the podcast or stream on our website or various platforms, you can hear Sean Swain's segment. Next Week... We announced that we'd be airing Rhiannon Firth talking with Scott about her recent book, Disaster Anarchy, but we're putting that off until next week. Patreon supporters can find it released a tiny bit early. Announcements 20th Balkan Anarchist Bookfair If you're in southern Europe, the 20th annual Balkan Anarchist bookfair is coming up from the 7th to 9th of July in Ljubljana, Slovenia. If you want to table or present, submissions are still open and more info can be found at their website, bab2023.EspivBlogs.Net Fundraising for JJ Ayer Eagle Bear In prior weeks, listeners heard updates from the struggle against evictions at Winnemucca Indian Colony. Jimmy J, who spoke in the December 25th episode has set up fundraising to help him overwinter via the venmo: @lunaleve Comrades Conspiracy There is a fundraiser online to support four anarchists accused by the Greek state of participation in a terrorist group the state is calling “comrades”, a case which has stretched out for nearly 3 years now, and their trial is slated to take place on February 6th of 2023. Learn more at FireFund.Net/Solidarity4Comrades Leon Benson Fundraiser We're happy to announce a re-entry fundraiser for Leon Benson (aka EL Bently 448), a wrongly convicted man in Indiana being organized by IDOC Watch, out of Indiana. Leon was the subject of a chat with his daughter, Koby Blutt, in our May 30th, 2021 episode (audio and transcript available at our website). You can find it at GoFundMe.com by searching Leon Benson. Eric King Release Fundraiser There is also a fundraiser going for post-release support for anarchist prisoner Eric King that you can find at GoFundMe.Com . … . .. Featured Tracks: Dead Men Don't Rape by Delilah Bon
This week, you'll hear four segments to the show. To hear the latest Sean Swain segment, you can find it at archive.org.. Medical Neglect at VDOC First up, you'll hear updates on the situation of Kevin “Rashid” Johnson of the Revolutionary Intercommunal Black Panther Party by Shupavu wa Kirima, General Secretary of that formation and partner of Rashid. Rashid has been showing signs of prostate cancer for over a year and his medical visits and care have been clearly delayed and avoided by Virginia Department of Corrections staff and administration. There is a call for phone zaps on the VDOC, Warden McCoy & the rest of Sussex 1 prison to demand that Rashid get the treatment that he needs to stay alive. Updates can be found on the RIBPP instagram & twitter accounts, on Shupavu's personal social media and RashidMod alongside his writings. You can contact the RIBPP about this effort via defendrashid@protonmail.com . Check the show notes for more links. [ 00:02:26 - 00:21:56 ] Defend Rashid Statement from RIBPP Shortened link to main document: bit.ly/DefendKRJ Shortened link to Google Folder: bit.ly/krjdc Defend Rashid toolkit: bit.ly/DefendRashidToolkit Rashid's website: rashidmod.com Fundraiser for Legal Defense: https://fundrazr.com/025tu2 Our 2018 chat with Rashid Bad News Segments Then, we'll be featuring a few segments from recent months episodes of Bad News from the A-Radio Network: You'll hear an interview from the November 2022 episode by Frequenz-A with Lölja Nordic a leftist anarchist from the Feminist Anti-War Resistance from St. Petersburg, Russia, to speak about the international, feminist, anti-war movement against the Russian war in Ukraine. You can find that telegram channel at t.me/femagainstwar in Russian. [ 00:22:42 - 00:35:44 ] We share an interview by A-Radio Berlin from October with ABC Belarus on the infotour they were conducting at the time. [ 00:36:08 - 00:49:06 ] Finally, back to Frequenz-A with someone about the squat opened this fall in Slovenia known as PLAC, the acronym meaning square and standing for Ljubljana Participatory Autonomous Zone [ 00:49:24 - 01:02:40 ] . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Unknown To The I by Drab Majesty from Completely Careless (2012 - 2015) Signals by Apollo Brown from Trophies Instrumentals Brazil by Beat Konducta from Beat Konducta Around The World
We just passed the 100th anniversary of the murder by incarceration and hounding of Mexican Revolutionary anarchist communist Ricardo Flores Magón on 21st of November. For this hour or so, I spoke with Mitchell Cowen Verter, co-author of the 2005 AK Press book, Dreams of Freedom: A Ricardo Flores Magon Reader (also free from archive.org). We talk about RFM's life, ideas and legacy. Apologies for the sound quality, Mitchell was on wifi at a hostel in Cambodia for the conversation. Other RFM Writings The Mexican People Are Suited To Communism by RFM More RFM docs Tierra Y Libertad play translated by Mitchell consecutive 2018 gender queered play on video Other pieces by Mitchell Cowen Verter The Anarchist Turn video Mitchell's writings at TheAnarchistLibrary.Org Mitchell's upcoming book, Kropotkin Now! Deep Commons 22 panel video 2005 "Barbarous Oaxaca" article Xinachtli Chicano anarchist communist prisoner of war Xinacthli, held by the State of Texas on some BS charges, had a support rally in Austin, Texas, on November 21st this year. There's a link in these show notes to a recording someone passed us of him telling his story like a decade ago. You can learn more on his case at FreeAlvaro.Net. Sean Swain's segment on marriage starts at [ 01:15:00 - end] Next Week... We hope to bring you voices on labor disputes in the University systems and on the rails in the UK. If you're subscribed to our patreon, you'll get an early listen to Scott's recent chat with Sophie Lewis on Abolish the Family: A Manifesto for Care and Liberation. Support TFSR Find our back catalog reaching to 2010 at TheFinalStrawRadio.NoBlogs.Org Follow our main Mastodon instance at @TheFinalStrawRadio@Chaos.Social $upport our project: tfsr.wtf/support Check out our transcribed interviews & zine collection at tfsr.wtf/zines Support our radio syndication efforst at tfsr.wtf/radio . ... . .. Featured Track: Corrido a Flores Magón by Ignacio “Nacho” Cárdenas (translation)
This week, Scott spoke with Rebecca Gross and Robin, Teaching Assistants at University of California Santa Cruz and members of UAW 2865 at the uni, to get informed about the ongoing strike in the UC system for, among other things, a cost of living increase demand for grad student employees and TA's. The strike has extended throughout the UC system and picks up where the wildcat strikes of 2019 at that campus left off before the corona virus pandemic put so many things on hold. Similar strikes occurred earlier this year at Indiana University in Bloomington, are occurring in universities like New School in New York, as well as the system across the UK where the University College Union's 70,000 members have voted to strike. These labor actions also touch on issues of housing affordability, tuition costs, as well as non-academic staff and employees. Check our show notes for links and social media to learn more or see how you can support or get involved. UC UAW Hardship fundraiser PayUsMoreUCSC.com @PayMoreUCSC on twitter or instagram Next week... Next week, we hope to bring you an interview with someone involved in the UCU strikes planned across the so-called UK. Here's an article sent by a comrade from before the strike votes started. Sean Swain segment Just a correction to Sean's segment on Kevin "Rashid" Johnson, he split with the United Panther Movement and the New Afrikan Black Panther Party (Prison Chapter) to go on to co-found the Revolutionary Intercommunal Black Panther Party of which he's Minister of Defense. [ 00:57:37 - 01:05:14 ] Support TFSR To support our show, in particular our transcription efforts, consider joining our patreon where for $2 or more a month, you can have access to early release episodes like the interview I just had with Mitchell Verter about the life and legacy of Mexican, anarchist communist revolutionary, Ricardo Flores Magón on the 100th anniversary of his murder by incarceration in the prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, as well as a number of recent author interviews conducted by Scott. We are about $70 shy of our sustainable income goal for regular transcription work at a decent wage. There are also thank you gifts there. You can learn more about other ways to donate to us and merchandise options at tfsr.wtf/support. Find our socials to follow and boost our content or to rate and review us on podcasting platforms so others can find us at tfsr.wtf/tree, as well as easy ways to stream the show or get in touch to give show ideas or feedback. You can find our zines at tfsr.wtf/zines and also information about our free, weekly radio show and how to get it on local airwaves is up at tfsr.wtf/radio. Thanks for the support! . ... . .. Featured Tracks: To Hell With Poverty by Gang of Four from Another Day Another Dollar EP Fuck Society by Mac Quayle from Mr. Robot, Vol. 1
This week on The Final Straw we have 4 whopping segments, tidbits in length but whopping in importance. First up, you'll hear from Zachariah Jazz (@BlackariahJazz161 on twitter), who distributes alcohol jet heaters with ABQHeaterBloc in so-called Albuquerque, NM, to talk about their efforts to help keep folks living on the streets safer from the elements through mutual aid. [ 00:02:08 - 00:18:56 ] ABQ Heater Bloc Instagram, donate funds via venmo @abqheaterbloc It's Controversial!! youtube channel or facebook page Hope 4 Tha Hood facebook or amazon wishlist Then, Tom of Heater Bloc Chicago talks about the construction of these devices, based on shared design. [ 00:20:03 - 00:37:20 ] After that, you'll hear Josh of the Certain Days Freedom for Political Prisoners Calendar collective to talk about this year's edition and briefly update listeners on the situations of Oso Blanco & Eric King, two anarchist political prisoners Josh does support work for and works on projects with. [ 00:37:42 - 00:50:28 ] Finally, Sean Swain's weekly segment! [ 00:51:31 - 00:58:09 ] Next week… We'll be sharing a recent conversation with antifascist researcher and activist, Matthew Lyons, author of the 2015 PM Press & Kersplebedeb book, Insurgent Supremacists, and contributor to the Three Way Fight blog to speak about Christian Nationalist tendencies and their relationship to distinctly racist elements of the far right in the so-called USA, approaches to understanding their approach of Christian Patriarchy as regards axes of gender, sexuality, abortion and bodily autonomy, as well as a call for antifascists to understand and more actively oppose these tendencies. More of Matthews thoughts at his blog, MatthewNLyons.net Announcements Mutulu Shakur Released! It is bittersweet for us to share the news that Dr. Mutulu Shakur of the Republic of New Afrika, imprisoned since 1986, is being released from prison. Bittersweet because his case and incarceration were a travesty, and also because Dr. Shakur was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in 2019 and has suffered in prison since. We are overjoyed that Dr. Shakur can pass on to the ancestors surrounded by loved ones on the outside of the bars. You can donate to his support via paypal to mutulushakur@hotmail.com. You can hear our conversation from a few months back about his case and health at our website by searching “Mutulu Shakur”. Free them all! Mutual Aid Efforts Lots of us are involved in social efforts of mutual aid, which can be a lot on top of just keeping afloat personally in capitalism, keeping rent paid, etc. In line with the subject matter of most of today's show, we were hoping to highlight a couple of projects that could use money and support in the good work they're doing during this so-called holiday season. There is an effort in Eastern Kentucky, which was hit hard by floods and tornadoes this year that left many homeless, to raise money for cold gear and other help that can be donated to at @ekymutualaid on venmo or paypal, or $ekymutualaid on cashapp. Chehalis River Mutual Aid Network of rural so-called Washington state's info can be found at linktr.ee/crmutualaidnet Kinlani Mutual Aid in so-called Flagstaff, AZ is collecting cold weather gear at Talahogan Infoshop, connecting people and building solidarity. More info at KinlaniMutualAid.Org Asheville Survival Program is also doing a drive for cold weather clothes. You can find info on their site, linktr.ee/AVLSurvival Finally, the Knoxville shared radical space known as MASK that was used by East TN Harm Reduction, First Aid Knoxville & Knoxville Radical Library could use some support on recovering materials destroyed in this summer's flooding. You can learn more at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mutual-aid-space-recover-from-flood Support Hey listeners. As prices rise and capitalism chugs along, crushing us in its wake, so goes our patreon. We've recently lost a about $50 a month in support, which leaves us below $500/mo, which puts us in danger in falling short of being able to pay for transcription services and web hosting each month. We have a regular goal of $550 to cover those months with 5 Sundays and occasional extra costs. If you can support us via a one-time donation, a merch purchase, a recurring donation via librapay or paypal or a subscription via patreon, we'd be much obliged. At patreon.com/tfsr those who support us at $2 or more a month have access to the occasional early audio release and upcoming planned behind the scenes chats among the producers. At the $5 level and above, you'll get the aforementioned releases plus some stickers to show our appreciation. For $10 or more per month, you'll get all that plus a monthly zine in the mail sent to you or the prisoner of your choice. Finally, for $15 per month and above you get those thank you's plus a TFSR tshirt. But we don't expect these meager enticements to get you to fork over the cash, honestly it seems more likely you'd kick in a few bucks because you have a little extra and appreciate our transcription work that allows for easier translation and accessibility of our episodes as well as easier sharing with prisoners and others who can't hear the podcast. You can learn more at tfsr.wtf/support That said, if you don't have cash, please consider rating the podcast on amazon, google or apple podcasts to help us beat the algorithm, follow and amplify our social media posts (tfsr.wtf), share our content with others in real life, or try to get us on your local community or college radio station (tfsr.wtf/radio). More info on this and more at our website. Thanks for the support! . … . .. Featured Tracks: War Within Us by Tragedy from Vengeance The Girl With The Sun In Her Head by Orbital from In Sides
This week on the show, you'll hear from Diyawn Caldwell, founder of “Both Sides Of The Wall” which has been supporting striking people behind bars across the Alabama Dept of Corrections where incarcerated workers refused their unpaid work over 3 weeks. The strike is on hold, for now, but prisoners continue resistance despite repression. You can learn more abut the group by finding them on social media or visiting BothSidesOfTheWall.com [00:01:07 - 00:19:31] Then, you'll hear anarchist comrades from the anti-repression solidarity group called La Lima, or The File, from Rome, Italy. The comrades will share about the situation of Alfredo Cospito who is now on hunger strike against the conditions in the 41bis hard prison regime. You can hear an interview from 2019 also that gives some context of other anarchist and anticapitalist radical prisoners resisting 41bis in Italy at that time. To keep up on resistance, you can visit ActForFree.NoBlogs.Org or check out the post on EnoughIsEnough calling for international solidarity. [00:20:43 - 00:53:10] Plus, a segment from Sean Swain with a proposal for these United States…. [00:55:36 - end] . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Moving Through Streets (Instrumental version) by The Psycho Realm by Moving Through Streets / Sick Dogs 12" Ballata Per L'Anarchico Pinelli by Gruppo "Z" from Canti Anarchici Italiani (Italian Songs Of Anarchy)
I'm happy to share this interview with anarchist author and historian, Robert Graham about the split in the historic left that led to the birth of the anarchist movement. Robert published the book We Do Not Fear Anarchy, We Invoke It!: The First International and the Origins of the Anarchist Movement with AK Press in 2015 and, as I say in the interview, I was excited to have this conversation with Robert since the 150th anniversary of the first anti-authoritarian International hosted by the anarchist watchmakers in St-Imier, Switzerland. I'm definitely not a history or theory head, so I've been pleased to take this opportunity to broaden my horizons and areas of study. To hear about the 150th Anniversary gathering, check out the segment by comrades at A-Radio Berlin from August 2022's Bad News podcast. And check out Anarchy2023.Org for info on next year's gathering. Part 1: [00:11:45 – 01:11:58] Part 2: [01:14:08 – 02:12:58] The book is available from Firestorm at the above link, also from the publisher at AKPress.Org, and you can check out an online version from Archive.Org for free as well. Or now at TheAnarchistLibrary.Org for easy & free download. Here's a link to an archive of Open Road, the anarchist journal Robert participated in in the 1970's For a related historical interview we conducted in 2014 with Andrew Zonneveld of On Our Own Authority! on an anarchist historical compilation called “The Commune: Paris, 1871”, linked in our show notes. The interview begins after Sean Swain's segment on the protests in Iran [00:03:20 – 00:11:45] Next week.... Next week, I hope to air voices supporting prisoner struggle in Alabama and anarchist prisoner struggle in Italy, particularly Alfredo Cospito. . … . .. Featured Tracks: The Internationale by Ani DiFranco & Utah Phillips La Internacional (Anarquista) by anonymous
This week on TFSR, you'll hear Watani Tyehimba of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and a supporter and comrade of New Afrikan political prisoner Dr Mutulu Shakur speaking about Dr. Shakur's life, activism and the struggle for his release since he's been diagnosed with serious bone cancer. Then, you'll hear portions of the latest episode of Bad News, the monthly podcast from the anarchist and anti-authoritarian radio and podcast network, A-Radio. The segments included are an interview by A-Radio Berlin with an organizer of this July's Weekend Libertaire on the 150th anniversary of the 1872 Anti-authoritarian International of Working People that happened in July in St-Imier, Switzerland. We hope to have an in depth conversation on the split in the International and the early days of the anarchist movement to share in the near future. You'll also hear a shoutout for the International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners, August 23-30th. You can hear more from this and other episodes of BAD News at a-radio-network.org or linked in our show notes. Finally, we'll be finishing up this episode with Sean Swain's weekly segment. Enjoy! We hope to be releasing an interview with Tim (aka Sole) and Aaron from the Propaganda By The Seed podcast next week. Patreon supporters can keep an eye out for the release a few days early. Support Update Speaking of Patreon, a big thanks to the folks who've been supporting this project on patreon and to the 10 new supporters this month! It's fantastic and we're almost at our base of sustainability for the zine program. If you want to support for as low as $2 a month, check out Patreon.com/TFSR. And you can find other methods of supporting us through merch purchases or through one time or recurring donations at tfsr.wtf/support. Non monetary ways to support us include reaching out for comment or show suggestions via snail mail or email, rating & reviewing us on google, apple etc, resposting our content on social media, sharing in real life with people. More info on that at tfsr.wtf. Or, the crème del a crème, getting our content on a local radio station so strangers will hear the content of these chats irl. More about that at tfsr.wtf/radio. Thanks so much! . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Flowers and Fire by Blitz from Second Empire Justice Juniper (remix of Y La Bamba) by Filastine from Loot + tracks yet unknown from Bad News (to be posted soon)
[00:09:34 - 01:43:24] This week we're sharing an interview that we conducted with anarchists and abolitionists mostly in and around Manila, the capital of the Philippines. You'll hear from K, Honey, Adrienne, Castle, Magsalin and Raj. During the chat they share about their projects, discussions of abolitionism in the Philippines, decolonization discourse, informal organizing, accountability and challenging patriarchal dynamics in the traditional left and more. Collectives Participating: Abolisyon: @AbolisyonPH on twitter, facebook, Instagram and on youtubeemail: abolisyon@subvertising.org The Dinner Party: @DinnerPartyPH on twitter Paglaya: @PaglayaPUP on twitter or facebook Project Kapwa donations on payal: @terreynera Cavite Mutual Aid has a paypal at cavite.mutualaid@gmail.com and is on facebook @cavite.mutualaid Other Links of note: An anarchist distro in English, Tagalog, and Bisaya: https://bandilangitim.xyz/ older site with more publcation: https://bandilangitim.noblogs.org/ https://sea.theanarchistlibrary.org/special/index Cempaka Collective. Malaysia https://www.patreon.com/cempaka_co Anti-Feminist Feminist Club (Indonesia) on twitter as @AnFemClub References relevant to what was discussed in the podcast On linking policing in the Philippines to the USA: McCoy, A. W. (2009). Policing America's Empire: The United States, the Philippines, and the Rise of the Surveillance State. Univ of Wisconsin Press. On linking policing in the Philippines to the USA: Vitale, A. S. (2021). The End of Policing. Verso Books. On Joyful Militancy and Rigid Radicalism: Bergman, C., & Montgomery, N. (2017). Joyful militancy: Building thriving resistance in toxic times. AK Press. On Rigid Radicalism: CrimethInc., (1997) "Your Politics is Boring as Fuck." https://crimethinc.com/1997/04/11/your-politics-are-boring-as-fuck The essay that got Castle and co interested: Magsalin, S. (2020) "Towards an Anarchism in the Philippine Archipelago." Bandilang Itim. https://sea.theanarchistlibrary.org/library/simoun-magsalin-towards-an-anarchism-in-the-philippine-archipelago-en On opposing carcerality on the left: Magsalin, S. (2022) "Against Carceral Communism, For Abolition Communism." Haters Magazine. https://haters.noblogs.org/post/2022/03/26/against-carceral-communism-for-abolition-communism-by-simoun-magsalin/ A book on the purges: Garcia, R. (2001) To Suffer Thy Comrades: How the Revolution Decimated Its Own. 2nd Edition. Anvil. https://libcom.org/article/suffer-thy-comrades-how-revolution-decimated-its-own-robert-francis-b-garcia Kevin Rashid Johnson Update [01:43:44 - end] You'll hear Kevin Rashid Johnson of the Revolutionary Intercommunal Black Panther Party talk about the continued denial of medical treatment at Nottoway CI in Virginia and thanking supporters who have been calling in. You can find details on how to continue the call-in campaign in the July 17th episode. Sean Swain on Mass Shootings [00:01:14 - 00:09:34] Sean talks about the uselessness of police in mass shootings, basically. . ... . .. Featured Track: Abolish Work by The (International) Noise Conspiracy from The First Conspiracy
This week, we're airing 2 interviews to do with the Russian war in Ukraine. Plus, Kevin Rashid Johnson talks about being denied medical care for his prostate cancer in the Virginia prison system. Transcript Assembly.Org.UA BOAK PDF (Unimposed) - pending Zine (Imposed) - pending Assembly.Org.UA [00:08:51 - 00:24:17] An interview with Assembly.Org.UA, a news site based out of Kharkiv about their journalism, disaster capitalism in the midst of pandemic and war, resistance to forced military conscription by the Ukrainian military and information about sabotage activity against the war taking place in Russia. Links for Assembly.Org.UA Donate via Global Giving English articles on LibCom BOAK, Anarchist Communist Combat Organization [00:27:34 - 00:51:41] Then, we'll you'll hear words from BOAK, or the Anarchist Communist Combat Organization, a Russia-based group advocating sabotage and guerrilla struggle and the development of a social revolution against authoritarian regimes in eastern Europe. You'll find a Russian version in audio and text of the BOAK conversation for dissemination very soon in the post for this show at our website. You can find a bunch of links in our show notes as well. BOAK links tor browser: https://www.torproject.org/download/ Onion Site: http://boakor7dmr63zguccltp6nki56ou4oppirhyllfck7yd3sifywinhkyd.onion/ Non-Onion mirror: http://boakmirror.noblogs.org/ Telegram Channel: https://t.me/BO_AK_reborn VK Channels: https://vk.com/bo_ak https://vk.com/zloyancom Phone Zap for Rashid [00:01:19 - 00:08:51] But first, you'll hear Minister of Defense of the Revolutionary Intercommunal Black Panther Party, Kevin Rashid Johnson, talk about his diagnosis of prostate cancer and his request for a call in to get the VADOC & his captors at Nottoway Correctional Institution in Virginia to give him the care he needs to survive. You can read his article at RashidMod.Com. Phone Zap! RIBPP & PSO are calling on all comrades and supporters to participate in a Phone/E-mail zap for Comrade Rashid. The following script can be used/personalized: "My name is___. My friend Kevin Johnson, #1007485, housed at Nottoway, just learned from the prison doctor that he has prostate cancer. Tests he took last October and November indicated that diagnosis almost certainly, but no biopsy was performed until April and the results reported to him on July 1. Eleven of 13 biopsies are positive for prostate cancer. “Cancer kills, and it can kill fast. A friend with prostate cancer says his treatment started immediately upon diagnosis in an effort to stop the cancer from spreading to his lymph nodes and on to his bones, where it would be fatal. The Virginia Department of Corrections has already failed in its responsibility to provide even minimal care. Mr. Johnson's thousands of supporters are shocked to hear of these inexcusably long delays in diagnosis. The best possible treatment must begin now. No obstacle must be allowed to cause further delay.” Who to call: Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections Harold W. Clarke VADOC P.O. Box 26963 Richmond, VA 23261 (804) 674-3000 docmail@vadoc.virginia.gov Director of Health Services, VADOC Steve Herrick healthservicesinquiries@vadoc.virginia.gov (804) 887–8118 Warden Clint Davis Nottoway Correctional Center 2892 Schutt Rd. Burkeville, VA 23922 (434) 767-5543 Email the following officals: harold.clarke@vadoc.virginia.gov david.robinson@vadoc.virginia.gov steve.herrick@vadoc.virginia.gov clint.davis@vadoc.virginia.gov. Sean's Segment [00:51:41 - end] Sean Swain talks about the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in his usual manner. . ... . .. Featured Track: Democratize, Decentralize, Demobilize, attributed to Antivoenny Bolnichny, lyrics found on LyricsTranslate
Eric King Speaks | 2 Radical Ukrainian Voices This week, we're sharing 3 segments on this episode. Eric King Transferred To High Security Prison in VA [00:04:08 - 00:23:50] First up, you'll hear Eric King, anarchist prisoner whose recent legal victory against the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the US was featured on our episodes from the week of March 27th, 2022. Last week, Eric was suddenly transferred out of Colorado toward United States Penitentiary Lee in the southwest portion of Virginia near Johnson City, TN. This is in spite of the fact that Eric should be held at a medium security facility according to BOP standards, unlike the high security and max prisoners at USP Lee. We caught up with him mid-transfer while at Grady County Jail in Oklahoma where many Federal prisoners stop during cross-country transfers. Eric and his supporters are afraid that he'll be facing time in the SHU, or Secure Housing Unit at USP Lee for no reason other than punishment for his legal case and his supporters are putting together a call-in campaign to raise Eric's visibility to keep him safe. There is information about this in our show notes at TheFinalStrawRadio.NoBlogs.Org and hopefully soon at https://SupportEricKing.Org . This is followed by Sean Swain's segment [00:23:53 - 00:32:42] Maria of Anarchist Black Cross Kyiv [00:33:06 - 01:07:52] Then, you'll hear Maria, a member of Anarchist Black Cross Kyiv, just returned from Ukraine and currently in Warsaw, Poland. We talk about ABC Kyiv, mutual aid and refugee support, border crossing, some information about anarchists participating in the territorial defense, NATO, non-violent as well as armed resistance to the Russian invasion, Russian forcibly moving Ukrainians from Mariupol into territories they control and other recent news stories. You can find more on how to support Operation Solidarity at linktr.ee/OperationSolidarity and the Resistance Committee of anarchists participating in armed resistance to the invasion at linktr.ee/TheBlackHeadquarter. You can also find a benefit for ABC resistance to the invasion at ABCMusicalSolidarity.Bandcamp.Com, written up at North Shore Counter-Info. Mira, leftist punk from Kharkiv [01:09:06 - 01:41:14] Finally, you'll hear a conversation recorded on Sunday, April 3rd with Mira, a member of the street punk band Bezlad and a show booker in the hardcore scene of Kharkiv near the Russian Border. Mira talks about his leaving of Kharkiv to L'viv to aid leftist and punk territorial defense fighters getting protective gear, his experience of the devastation of war on the city he loves and the breakdown of solidarity with antifascist and punk communities across the border between Russia & Ukraine since the war in the Donbass and intensifying today. We'll play a song by Bezlad after this interview and will link them in the shownotes. Announcements Libre Flot's Hunger Strike Continues As a continuation of our recent announcement of the former YPG volunteer on hunger strike against unending detention by the French government, there is a call for a day of solidarity for Libre Flot for what is both his 36th day of hunger strike and his birthday. Libre Flot was hospitalized in relation to the hunger strike on March 24th but has continued due to his more than 15 months of pre-trail detention. On April 4th, 2022, the supporters are asked to make some noise at French embassies, consulates and other institutions to raise awareness of his plight. More info at SolidarityToDecember8.wordpress.com Eric King Call-In Alongside a recent post showing photos of the scene of Eric's assault in the broom closet, there will be a post with phone numbers and talking points up at SupportEricKing.Org by Monday. Below are some contacts you are suggested to reach out to to check in on Eric's condition and talking points to help ask why he's being treated this way despite his noted security level leading into the embarrassing trial loss by BOP: Why is Eric King, who is at a medium level according to the BOP, being moved to a high security facility across the country?; Why is this move coming so quickly after Eric successfully won a lawsuit showing that the BOP was closing ranks to set Eric up for 20 years of additional prison as he approaches his out time?; What will you, as a public official, do to challenge the impunity of the federal prisons to persecute prisoners and violate their human rights?; DRAFT MESSAGES / TEMPLATES Hello Senator _____, I am writing about my friend who is a prisoner in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. His name is Eric King, inmate number 27090-045. He was recently found not guilty on all counts at a trial in the U.S. District of Colorado. Eric was moved from FCI Englewood and is currently being held in a private facility, Grady County Jail in Oklahoma. He has been told he is en route to USP Lee, a maximum security prison in Virginia. I am writing because I believe Eric should not be sent to USP Lee, and would be in danger if he were sent there. He is scheduled to be released from prison in December 2023, and wants to avoid anything that would infringe on this release date. There is an active threat against his life. A few years ago, before being sent to Colorado, Eric was held in the Segregation Unit at USP Lee for approximately two weeks. Before that, at USP Atlanta, a white supremacist gang member told him he would be killed at USP Lee if he was released into general population. This was documented at USP Lee. It is imperative that Eric not be put in harm's way. I am asking that you not send him into a situation that is so dangerous. The Bureau of Prisons knows this and there is established case law regarding the BOP sending someone into dangerous and life threatening scenarios. See Fitzharris v. Wolf, 702 F.2d 836, 839 (9th Cir. 1983); Gullatte v. Potts, 654 F.2d 1007, 1012-13 (5th Cir. 1981); Roba v. U.S., 604 F.2d 215, 218-19 (2d Cir. 1979). Additionally, Eric is in this situation because of a bogus maximum management variable on his security profile. This has him erroneously being sent to a facility beyond his actual security level. He has no pending charges and no incident reports. He intends to be released to Colorado to live with his wife and his two children in just over a year. I ask that this management variable be removed so that he can be sent to a medium- or low-custody prison close to home and begin preparing for release. I am afraid for my friend Eric's life if he is sent to USP Lee and I am asking that you intervene with the Bureau of Prisons and ask them not to send Eric King into harm's way by sending him to USP Lee. His lawyer is Lauren Regan and can be reached at 541-687-9180 or lregan@cldc.org. Please help my friend. Sincerely, _____ CONTACT INFORMATION DSCC Office Designation & Sentence Computation Center U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Complex 346 Marine Forces Dr. Grand Prairie, TX 75051 Email: GRA-DSC/PolicyCorrespondence@bop.gov Phone: 972-352-4400 Fax: 972-352-4395 Mid-Atlantic BOP Regional Office 302 Sentinel Dr, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 Email: MXRO-ExecAssistant@bop.gov Phone: 301-317-3100 Fax: 301-317-3119 BOP National Office 320 First Street, NW Washington, DC 20534 Email: info@bop.gov Phone: 202-307-3198 Virginia Senators to Contact Tim Kaine PHONE: (202) 224-4024 Email: https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion Twitter: @TimKaine 231 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Mark. R Warner Email: https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkRWarner Twitter: @MarkWarner Phone: 202-224-2023 IG: https://www.instagram.com/senatorwarner/ 703 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 . ... . .. Featured tracks: Ricky's Theme by Beastie Boys from Ill Communication Bella Ciao by Leslie Fish from the album "It's Sister Jenny's Turn to Throw the Bomb" Kharkiv Hardcore Skins by Bezlad
This is one of three introductions to the book by Travis Washington and Sean Swain entitled Last Act of the Circus Animals, available from LittleBlackCart.com. Immediatism.com My other podcast, PointingTexts.org Feedback and requests to Cory@Immediatism.com, and your comment may be shared in a future episode. Donate
This is one of three introductions to the book by Travis Washington and Sean Swain entitled Last Act of the Circus Animals, available from LittleBlackCart.com. Immediatism.com My other podcast, PointingTexts.org Feedback and requests to Cory@Immediatism.com, and your comment may be shared in a future episode. Donate
This is one of three introductions to the book by Travis Washington and Sean Swain entitled Last Act of the Circus Animals, available from LittleBlackCart.com. Immediatism.com My other podcast, PointingTexts.org Feedback and requests to Cory@Immediatism.com, and your comment may be shared in a future episode. Donate
Hey folks. This week, we're sharing our 2020 chat with Keith Lamar aka Bomani Shakur who is facing execution on November 16th 2023. We hope you enjoy his insights and check out his support website, KeithLamar.Org and get involved in helping him fight for his life and for justice. Starting February 25, 2022 you can hear Keith, Albert Marquet and others performing "Freedom First" We'll have new content coming out next week. Bomani Shakur speaks to us from death row at OSP Youngstown in Ohio. Bomani is accused of crimes related to the 1993 Lucasville Uprising he claims innocence of and has an execution date set for November 16, 2023. For the hour we speak about his upbringing, his case, injustice in white supremacist and capitalist America, Bomani's politicization and struggle to find himself, defend his dignity and his life. To hear a longer, podcast version, check out this link on archive. This interview was originally recorded on April 29th, 2020. Thanks to Revolutionary Abolitionist Movement – NYC for hooking us up with the chat and helping coordinate the Month Of Solidarity. More on his case can be found at KeithLamar.Org, on the facebook page “Justice For Keith Lamar” and at the twitter account, @FreeKeithLamar. On his website you can find a link to his book, Condemned, ways to donate to his phone fund, and a link to the excellent, 30 minute documentary on youtube about his case also named Condemned. Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin is an author, black anarchist, organizer, former Black Panther and former political prisoner based in Kansas City, Missouri. In this segment, Lorenzo talks about prisoners organizing unions and other associations in the past, the thoughts of George Jackson and Martin Sostre and more. You can find a recently republished edition out from Pluto Press of Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin's classic “Anarchism & the Black Revolution” plus a bunch of other essays. If you order this from Firestorm books here in Asheville, you'll get a 10% discount and we'll get a kickback, too! Otherwise, it's available at any number of renowned booksellers. And a quick note that the interview with Lorenzo was conducted by a member of True Leap Press. Since 2017, True Leap has provided free print political education materials for imprisoned people engaging in abolitionist study. They have over 200 titles in their new 2022 catalog. They don't keep a mailing list, as literature is only available upon request. If you would like a new catalog of their 2022 literature selections, please visit them at their website TrueLeapPress.com or at their new address: True Leap Zine Distro PO Box 6045 Concord, CA 94524 Announcements Political Prisoner Updates Daniel Baker has a book wish list online at the Anarchist Black Cross Federation website: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1L3A3PSLOYAY4?ref_=wl_share Eric King's mail ban is gone, so he can receive books and letters! Reach out to him! More info, plus new poetry by Eric at SupportEricKing.Org. Sundiata Acoli is appealing his continued incarceration: https://www.abcf.net/blog/oral-arguments-in-sundiata-acolis-appeal-case-can-now-be-viewed/ Sean Swain is back in general population, has phone access and seems to have a reprieve from being interstate transferred for the moment. Find out how to write and support Sean by visiting SeanSwain.Org . ... . ..
Anarchist Struggle, or Tekoşîna Anarşist in Kurmanji, is an anarchist combat medic collective operating in Rojava since the time of the war against Daesh / Isis, though its roots go back further. For the hour, you'll hear a voice actor sharing the words of a member of TA calling themselves Robin Goldman about the their experiences of Asymmetric Warfare waged by Turkey and its proxies in the TFSA, the culture of TA right now, the medical work they're doing, queerness in Rojava and other topics. You can find TA online on twitter at @TA_Anarsist as well as their website TekosinaAnarsist.NoBlogs.Org. Members of TA suggested that folks interested in queer and trans organizing in Rojava support the group Keskasor, Kurdish for rainbow and based in Diyarbakir, Turkey. It can be emailed at heftreng.keskesor@gmail.com, found on twitter via @Keskasor_lgbti or on instagram at @KeskesorLGBTI, though their social media presence was last updated in 2020. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Some Formations Related to TA: International Freedom Battalion (IFB) on FB: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Freedom_Battalion International Revolutionary People's Guerrilla Forces (IRPGF) -demobilized: https://archive.org/details/@irpgf The Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army (TIQLA) -demobilized Groups mentioned ala Rojava: Make Rojava Green Again: https://makerojavagreenagain.org/ Internationalist Commune of Rojava: https://internationalistcommune.com/ You can find an interview we did with ICR at our website Jineoloji International: https://jineoloji.org/en/ Rojava Information Center: https://rojavainformationcenter.com/ Heyva Sur A Kurd (Kurdish Red Crescent): https://hskurd.org/en/homeen/ Announcements Zolo Azania Former Black Panther, political prisoner and BLA veteran Zolo Agana Azania is seeking help. Since being released from prison and returning to the streets of Indiana in 2017 after more than 35 years behind bars, he has poured himself into organizing solidarity and support for other former prisoners. He still has not received his 2020 covid relief funds, likely impacted by his housing precarity, and is trying to purchase an inexpensive house to offer him stability in his later years. If you'd like to help, you can cashapp Zolo at $ZoloAzania5 . You can hear an interview with Zolo from 2018 plus his participation in an IDOCWatch panel at our website, linked in the show notes. Eric King's Mail Ban Temporarily Lifted That's right, you can send mail and books to anarchist and anti-fascist prisoner, Eric King! You can find his writings, art and updates on his case at SupportEricKing.Org, you can find his amazon wishlist there as well and you can send him letters via: Eric King #27090-045 FCI Englewood 9595 West Quincy Avenue Littleton, CO 80123 Asheville Continues To Attack The Homeless In a last minute addition to these announcements, according to a leaked email by a local, Asheville-based non-profit serving houseless folks, Asheville's City Council may be considering passing an ordinance based on the failed Ft. Lauderdale, Florida ban on the sharing of food in public spaces, which in the Asheville case appears to be based on a suggestion by Asheville Police Captain Mike Lamb. An article just published on the Asheville Free Press explains the context, what the non-profit group Beloved is suggesting as next steps, which includes applying pressure at the upcoming January 25th City Council meeting. This comes on the heels of a wave of knocks, warrants and arrests of people engaged in protests against homeless sweeps here in freezing temperatures at the end of last year. Keep an ear out and toss support for legal fees to the Blue Ridge Anarchist Black Cross legal defense fund at or you can donate to the final straw's payment methods with a note that it's for legal defense and we'll pass it off. Fire Ant Journal #11 is Out! You can find the latest edition of Fire Ant Journal, featuring writings and art by Thomas Mayer-Falk, Eric King, Pepe and info on Sean Swain, Jennifer Rose and more via Bloomington ABC BAD News #52 is Available! The monthly episode of the A-Radio Network's English podcast includes Črna Luknja with a member of CrimethInc on the fire at their publishing house recently, A-Radio Berlin brings words on the attack by leftist bro's on the queer anarcha-feminist Syrena squat in Warsaw, Elephant In The Room gives a brief round up of the uprising in Kazakhstan and comrades at Free Social Radio 1431 AM in Thessaloniki talk about the eviction of Biologia Squat. Support Here are a few ways you can give back to The Final Straw You can subscribe to our podcast on various platforms, follow and share our materials online as well as give us feedback via links found at TFSR.WTF/Tree To support our transcription work and wider project, you can subscribe to us via Patreon.com/TFSR, buy some merch or find donation methods at TFSR.WTF/Support Find those transcriptions and zines for distro'ing, mailing into prisons, or translating at TFSR.WTF/Zines And you can get us onto radio stations in your area with info at TFSR.WTF/Radio . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Yasin is a remix by Rizan Said of this song (original version based on an Arab folk song from the Hesekê region featured in the film "Darên bi Tenê" or "The Only Trees") Şervano by Mehmûd Berazî (an article about the song, often sang at funerals)
This week on the show, you'll hear from Doug, Onion & Papi, three folks involved in the Aston Park Build, a daily event to hold space in Aston Park in downtown Asheville, creating art, sharing food and music and a wider part of organizing here to demand safer space & redistribution of wealth to care for houseless folks and relieve the incredible strains on housing affordability in Asheville. We talk about the park actions, the housing crisis and service industry wage woes, local government coddling of business owners and police repression of folks on the margins. Related links: "New Report Sounds Alarm on Affordable Housing — Again" by Barbara Durr: https://avlwatchdog.org/new-report-sounds-alarm-on-affordable-housing-again/ "Housing Activists Protest at Downtown Hotels; Demand Council Deploy Relief Funds for Unhoused Community" by Elliot Patterson and Ursula Wren: https://www.ashevillefreepress.com/housing-activists-protest-at-downtown-hotels-demand-council-use-relief-funds-for-code-purple/ "Community Art Party Leads to Multi-Day Demonstration Demanding ‘Sanctuary Camp' at Aston Park" by Ursula Wren: https://www.ashevillefreepress.com/community-art-party-leads-to-sanctuary-camping-demonstration/ Supporting Social Media Accounts: Asheville Solidarity Network On Fakebook: https://www.facebook.com/avlsol/ On Instascam: https://www.instagram.com/avl_solidaritynet/ Asheville For Justice: https://ashevilleforjustice.com/ Asheville Survival Program: https://linktr.ee/avlsurvival Announcements Sean Swain's Transfer This week's segment is Sean's statement given to the Interstate Compact Hearing he was to face before the foregone conclusion of his transfer far from his spouse & support base. If you want to write to Sean, for the moment it's a good idea to send to his Youngstown address until his support site says otherwise, but also to hold on to a copy of your letter in case he's been moved and ODRC doesn't send back your original. You can find info on how to support his legal campaign (Donations can be made via CashApp to $Swainiac1969), his books and past writings at SeanSwain.org or find updates on Swainiac1969 on instagram or SwainRocks on twitter. We got an update that the Interstate Compact Committee, during their hearing this week, recommended that Sean stay in Ohio (but they didn't quit their jobs). Feel free to reach out to the following public officials to express your concern at the moving of Sean Swain out of Ohio based on the word of a former ODRC because Sean spoke out about torture he suffered in Ohio prisons. More details in the statement at [01:04:19] in the episode... Ohio Governor Mike DeWine: email form or (614) 466-3555 ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith: email (annette.chambers-smith@odrc.state.oh.us) phone (614)387-0588 ODRC Interstate Compact Administrator Katrina Ransom email (katrina.ransom@odrc.state.oh.us or ohio.compact@odrc.state.oh.us) phone (614-387-0809) ODRC Interstate Compact Deputy Compact Administrator: email (suzanne.brooks@odrc.state.oh.us) phone (614-752-0829) Biologica Squat in Thessaloniki The Biologica Squat at the School of Biology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, has been open for 34 years and is now under threat of attack by the New Democracy government and their new campus police. There are calls for solidarity at Greek Embassies, businesses and other places around the world during the up til and through January 10th & 17th of January 2022. The original post can be found in Greek on Athens Indymedia or in English at EnoughIsEnough14.org . ... . .. Featured Track: Squat Eurodisney by Fleas and Lice from Global Destruction
Asheville Survival Program is an autonomous mutual aid network formed in early 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in so-called Asheville, NC. They are building mutual aid with oppressed communities, promoting solidarity and sharing outside the bounds of State structure through their street-side camping gear, food and solidarity distro and their “Until We're All Free” Store, holding a distribution space open a few days a week walk-up visits and delivering groceries through a network of drivers. For the hour, I spoke with Fern and Ducky, two members of ASP affiliated with the Free Store, about the history of the group, challenges its faced, challenging charity dynamics and working to reach outside of subculture and across racial and cultural lines. You can reach ASP on Instagram at @AvlSurvival, on fedbook via @ASPDonate, find more links, including how to donate, at https://linktr.ee/avlsurvival. You can also reach them at their email if you have further questions at ashevillesurvivalprogram@gmail.com. And here's the segment that Sean Swain references the FBI emailing VADOC about from April 11th, 2021 Announcements KPCA-LP Now Broadcasting TFSR! We're excited to say that starting on the evening of Halloween, Sunday October 31st 2021 we'll be airing on KPCA-LP, community access radio in Petaluma, CA! If you're on occupied Coastal Miwok and Pomo territories of southern Sonoma County and looking for a 10pm political radio show, tune in to 103.3 FM! Check out https://TFSR.WTF/Radio to see our other radio broadcasts around the so-called US as well as ways to get us on your local airwaves and spread the anarchy! BRABC Prisoner Letter Writing for November If you're in the Asheville area, check out the Blue Ridge Anarchist Black Cross letter writing night on Sunday, November 7th from 5-7pm at West Asheville Park at 198 Vermont Ave. More details on the BRABC instagram, fedbook or their website at BRABC.BlackBlogs.Org. No letter writing experience required, they provide stationary, names and addresses of prisoners with upcoming birthdays or facing repression. New Website to Support 2020 Uprising Prisoners Comrades have started up UprisingSupport.Org to help track prisoners who went in last year after the murder by police of George Floyd and other instances of racist, police violence in the so-called US. If you're involved in supporting someone facing charges or in prison, get in touch with the site to get your friend listed. If you and your crew want to support folks, check it out and get involved! And now a couple of prisoner-related updates: Bo Brown, Presente! Revolutionary anarcho-communist, urban guerrilla member of the George Jackson Brigade, white working class butch dyke lesbian anti-authoritarian, anti-imperialist, ex-political prisoner passed recently after a long battle with Lewd Body Dementia. She will be remembered by her many comrades, including in the prison abolitionist communities of Oakland, CA, where she was active in her later life. To see a beautiful poster designed by Josh MacPhee of Just Seeds collective, downloadable and printable for free: https://justseeds.org/graphic/bo-brown-rest-in-power/ Bo's loved ones are raising funds to help cover her funeral expenses via a Go Fund Me entitled “Show Up For Bo Brown”: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pfspu-show-up-for-bo-brown Russell Maroon Shoatz Is Out! Dedicated community activist, founding member of the Black Unity Council, former member of the Black Panther Party and soldier in the Black Liberation Army and now-former political prisoner, Russell “Maroon” Shoatz has been given “compassionate release” after years of medical neglect in the Pennsylvania prison system. Maroon has been released to an outside hospital to coordinate palliative and likely hospice care as he's in stage 4 of colorectal cancer. While it's great that Maroon gets to be near his family, this is 49 years too late and the victory rings a bit hollow to receive this fighter back into our midst after such mistreatment. There is a fundraiser at Go Fund Me entitled “homegoing Service For Richard Shoates”: https://www.gofundme.com/f/homegoing-service-for-richard-shoates And you can learn more about Maroon at https://russellmaroonshoats.wordpress.com/ David Gilbert Paroled! Finally, some really good news. After decades of pressure, notably by Releasing Aging People in Prison (RAPP), former Weather Underground & May 19th Communist Organization political prisoner David Gilbert is expected to be released in November of 2021. He was granted partial communtation by outgoing NY Governor Cuomo, and the parole board announced that it was granting him parole. David was arrested after the Brinks armored car robbery in 1981, led by a Black Liberation Army unit. Free Them All! . ... . .. Featured Track: Σιγά Μην Κλάψω by Giannis Aggelakas Σιγά μην κλάψω, σιγά μη φοβηθώ by Killah P from Ni Oubli Ni Pardon Vol. 1 (Action Antifasciste Paris-Banlieue
This week we're sharing a chat that Scott Branson had about Transgender Marxism (2021, Pluto Press) with Jules Gleeson (co-Editor, Contributor) and M.E. O'Brien (contributor). Transgender Marxism brings together Transgender Studies and Marxist theory, exploring Transgender lives and movements and surviving as Trans under Capitalism. In the end, the claim of the book is that for Trans Liberation, Capitalism must be abolished. In this interview we talk about the: collective, material process of transition; trans visibility, assimilation and liberation; the history of Gay Liberation and Trans movements; being Trans in the workplace; care work and family abolition; and Trans solidarities against Capitalism and the State. Jules Joanne Gleeson is a writer, comedian and historian. She has published essays in outlets including Viewpoint Magazine, Invert Journal and VICE, and performed internationally at a wide range of communist and queer cultural events. She can be found on Twitter at @SocialRepro and Patreon (QueerCom). Check out her awesome interview with Judith Butler that the GuardianUK censored due to critiques of TERFs, found in full at IllWill.Com. M.E. O'Brien writes at the intersection of communist theory, trans liberation, LGBTQ social movement studies and feminism. Michelle is a co-editor of Pinko, and her writing has appeared in Social Movement Studies, Work, Employment & Society, Commune, Homintern, Endnotes and Invert. Found on Twitter at @GenderHorizon & on Patreon (MEOBrien). Update on Sean Swain This week, instead of words from anarchist prisoner, Sean Swain, I'd just like to share the info that Sean has been transferred back to Ohio, his state of capture, from Virginia where he was held at a Medium security facility for the last 2.5 years. It's assumed that he's back at the Supermax, OSP Youngstown for 2 weeks of quarantine and determination of status to decide what prison he will go to inside Ohio from there. When he was leaving Ohio for Virginia, he was close to graduating to a lower security, medium level, than where he was held and has not had any serious breeches of conduct since his transfer, so hopefully he'll be heading to an easier and more comfortable facility. For the moment you can write him at his old address where I'm sure he'd love some kind words or some books, posted in our shownotes and at SeanSwain.org: Sean Swain #A243205 OSP Youngstown 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Rd Youngstown, OH 44505 You can donate to his legal case to challenge his denied parole by sending money via cashapp to $Swainiac1969 and you can follow @Swainiac1969 for info on the upcomnig online raffle to help fundraise for Sean's legal fees. To donate items for raffle, also contact the instagram mentioned above and keep an eye out for more info. As an update to prior mentions of Swainiac-fest, it was a success but is only a step on the way to covering his legal fees to get him the best legal defense possible. And remember, you can fundraise toward the $12,500 needed by the lawyer on your own or in community and if you want to send it to the TFSR venmo or paypal or a money order made out to us via our PO Box, feel free to do so and make sure you note Sean's defense in the comment. . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Gemini (instrumental) by Princess Nokia from Everything Is Beautiful
These texts are selections from Part 1, Indian Territory, of the book Ohio: The Truth about Bob's Lanes, by Sean Swain, available from LittleBlackCart.com. Immediatism.com My other podcast, PointingTexts.org Feedback and requests to Cory@Immediatism.com, and your comment may be shared in a future episode. Donate
These texts are selections from Part 1, Indian Territory, of the book Ohio: The Truth about Bob's Lanes, by Sean Swain, available from LittleBlackCart.com. Immediatism.com My other podcast, PointingTexts.org Feedback and requests to Cory@Immediatism.com, and your comment may be shared in a future episode. Donate
These texts are selections from Part 1, Indian Territory, of the book Ohio: The Truth about Bob's Lanes, by Sean Swain, available from LittleBlackCart.com. Immediatism.com My other podcast, PointingTexts.org Feedback and requests to Cory@Immediatism.com, and your comment may be shared in a future episode. Donate
These texts are selections from Part 1, Indian Territory, of the book Ohio: The Truth about Bob's Lanes, by Sean Swain, available from LittleBlackCart.com. Immediatism.com My other podcast, PointingTexts.org Feedback and requests to Cory@Immediatism.com, and your comment may be shared in a future episode. Donate
photo: @tevitauhatafe Welcome to This Is America, August 24th, 2021. On this episode, first we speak with someone from Symbiosis in Portland, Oregon, where we cover the Nabisco strike from the vantage point of a supporter who was on the picket lines. While the strike has now come to a close, with the workers beating... Read Full Article
Today we celebrate June 11th, an international day of solidarity with long-term anarchist prisoners. While this is the sixteenth year this date has been observed, 2020 presents an unprecedented context: both the COVID–19 pandemic and the massive uprising sparked by the police murder of George Floyd have shifted our focus and sense of what's possible. In solidarity with all prisoners, with particular care for anarchists in long-term confinement, we begin by sharing an excerpt from a history of June 11th as a day of prisoner solidarity along with the June 11th call issued for 2020. To these we add a short interview with a June 11th organizer and supporter of anarchist Green Scare prisoner Marius Mason. As politicians raise the specter of “antifa” to divide and defuse the militant anti-police resistance that has swept the US and beyond, we explore state repression of antifascists through an interview with antifascist prisoner David Campbell and his support crew. Another interview with a participant in the South Florida COVID–19 Hotline for Incarcerated People explores a model for prisoner solidarity in pandemic times. We conclude with updates on several long-term prisoners' cases and upcoming birthdays. After today's focus on prisoner struggles, next time we'll return our focus to the Minneapolis uprising and the international movement to commemorate Black lives lost to police violence. {June 11th, 2020} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:01} June 11th: The History of a Day of Solidarity {6:59} June 11th, 2020: Organizer's Call {23:42} Interview with a June 11th Organizer {30:52} Interview with Antifascist Prisoner David Campbell {41:02} Interview: Update From David Campbell's Support Crew {1:19:42} Prisoner Solidarity During the Pandemic: The South Florida COVID–19 Hotline for Incarcerated People {1:34:59} Prisoner Updates and Birthdays {1:57:05} Conclusion {2:01:16} This episode focuses on June 11th, the international day of solidarity with long-term anarchist prisoners. It includes the 2017 article June 11th: The History of a Day of Solidarity and the 2020 call from June 11th organizers. The history refers to two influential solidarity texts, “To Libertarians” and “Revolutionary Solidarity.” Some of long-term anarchist and anti-authoritarian prisoners in the US that you can support today include Marius Mason, Jeremy Hammond, Eric King, Bill Dunne, Alvaro Luna Hernandez, Michael Kimble, and Sean Swain. For a listing of international anarchist prisoners, see the Brighton Anarchist Black Cross page. We shared an interview with antifascist prisoner David Campbell. Here are some tips on writing to him, and this is his address: David Campbell #3101900657 Robert N. Davoren Complex 11–11 Hazen St East Elmhurst, NY 11370 If you want to virtually visit him, here are instructions: Check the Visit Schedule, then click on the month (e.g. “May 2020”): Rikers folks can have up to three visitations as long as they fall under:1 weekday (Wed or Thurs), a Friday, and 1 weekend day (Sat or Sun). Fill out Televisit Request form: You'll need a photo ID, address, and e-mail to complete the form. You will need to upload a photo of your ID. Up to three people can visit at a time. You will also need to know the incarcerated person's booking and case number; for David Campbell, his booking and case number is: 3101900657. You will be able to choose up to three potential visit times, unfortunately there is no guarantee that you will get your first choice. Wait for an e-mail or call from Rikers telling you the date and time of your virtual visit. This will happen the day before your scheduled visit. (Note that the slot they give you might be different from any of the dates or times you requested). Also check out “Stickup on Rikers,” an article David wrote on the hunger strike he helped to organize in March. Be sure to also check out the June 11th episode from The Final Straw, featuring interviews with a Marius Mason supporter and with anarchist prisoner Jeremy Hammond. If you're interested in the South Florida COVID–19 Hotline for Incarcerated People (CHIP), please consider donating to them through GoFundMe, Venmo (@CHIP-Hotline), or PayPal (sflactivistdefensefund@gmail.com). If you want to volunteer or offer other support, or you're interested in starting a similar project, you can contact the organizers at C19inmatehotline[at]riseup[dot]net. To understand the history that led to the arrest of Marius Mason and the emergence of June 11th as a day of anarchist solidarity, it's helpful to learn about the Green Scare, the wave of arrests and state repression against earth and animal liberation movements in the early 2000s. Check out Ex-Worker episodes [#34, “Staying Safe so we can be Dangerous Together”](https://crimethinc.com/podcasts/the-ex-worker/episodes/34), and [#17, “Conspiracy! State Repression Strategies and Anarchist Resistance”](https://crimethinc.com/podcasts/the-ex-worker/episodes/17) for more background and analysis. Check out The Uprise Daily, an exciting new audio project offering a daily rundown of protests and ongoing rebellion in response to police killings. Here is a comprehensive list of bail funds for protestors across the country compiled by the Community Justice Exchange's National Bail Fund Network. Upcoming Prisoner Birthdays: Jared Chase M44710 Dixon Correctional Center 2600 North Brinton Avenue Dixon, Illinois 61021 {June 12} Stephen Kelly #015634 Glynn County Detention Center 100 Sulphur Springs Road Brunswick, Georgia 31520 {June 12} Smart Communications / PA DOC Jarreau Ayers – NS9994 SCI Huntington PO Box 33028 St. Petersburg, FL, 33733 {June 15} Jason Renard Walker #1532092 Clements Unit 9601 Spur 591 Amarillo, TX 79107 {June 17} Also see this Final Straw interview with Jason Tips for writing to prisoners from It's Going Down
This week, you will hear updates from the Stony Creek tenant strike in Canada, some creative anti-ICE actions, and about some humorous and some of the alt-right's recent losses. We interview Maya Little about the recent toppling of a confederate statue in North Carolina on Monday. Maya shares information about the impact of the statue on campus, some history, and some initial feelings after the fall of Silent Sam. We kick off the nationwide prison strike with an interview with an outside supporter of the strike, and a reportback from an attendee of a noise demonstration outside a prison. Finally, we wrap up the show with political prisoner birthdays and next weeks news. We're glad to be back! Send us news, events, or ideas on how our show can better serve anarchist activity in your town by emailing us at podcast@crimethinc.com. {August 22, 2018} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:00} Headlines {0:50} #PrisonStrike {7:50} Confederate monument toppling {20:10} Repression roundup {33:00} Next Week's News {40:55} [Download 29:30 minutes long version.](http://traffic.libsyn.com/exworker/RADIO_VERSION_The-Hotwire_33_PrisonStrike-kicks-off_racist-statue-toppled-in-NC_alt-right-get-self-doxxed.mp3) The August 21 #PrisonStrike has begun! Check out the Incarcerated Workers website for more information, resources, and the list of prisoner's demands. Also, episode #50 of The Ex-Worker is all about the 2016 national #PrisonStrike. Check out our newest article documenting how the confederate statue, Silent Sam, came down in North Carolina. Check out this article about Joseph Dibee – an alleged ELF fugitive who was just captured, and find out why this case matters. READ these texts written by Black Liberation Army prisoner Russel “Maroon” Shoatz: The Dragon and the Hydra The Real Resistance to Slavery in North America Black Fighting Formations Read this hilarious story about a clever trick used to get people on the far-right to dox themselves! Anarchist prisoner Sean Swain is being held in solitary. Call Director Gary Mohr at 614–387–0588 or e-mail drc.publicinfo@odrc.state.oh.us or melissa.adkins@odrc.state.oh.us (Administrative Assistant for Mohr). You can use this script: “I am calling on behalf of Sean Swain, inmate #243–205. I am a friend of Sean. I am calling to request the ODRC grant Mr. Swain's appeal regarding his most recent disciplinary record, drop the charges, and lower his security level from 5b to 2. Mr. Swain is not a physical security risk, and there is no reason to keep him at such a high security rating where he will be unable to get the programming he needs to be eligible for rehabilitation and parole. Thank you for your consideration.” Ramona Africa has been hospitalized and needs monetary support, Donate to he Go Fund Me Use this straightforward guide to writing prisoners from New York City Anarchist Black Cross to write Joseph Dibee, Erik King and, Russell Maroon Shoats. Joseph Dibee #812133 Multnomah County Detention Center 11540 NE Inverness Drive Portland, Oregon 97220 Eric King #27090–045 USP Florence – High US Penitentiary PO Box 7000 Florence, CO 81226 Russell Maroon Shoatz #AF–3855 SCI Graterford Post Office Box 244 Graterford, Pennsylvania 19426 We have a Twitter! Follow @HotwireWeekly and send us news that we should include in the show.
Our first episode of the new season! This week, we look back at the long, hot summer and give an update on antifascist clashes, pipeline resistance, and ICE occupations. Hundreds gathered in Charlottesville on the anniversary of the defeat of Unite the Right, drawing attention to the increasing cozy relationship between white supremacists and the police. We interview someone from Washington, DC about opposition to the Unite the Right 2 Rally held there this past weekend. Accused ELF and ALF member, Josephy Dibee was extradited to the US from Cuba and is being held in jail in Oregon. There are updates on the nationwide prison strike set to start on August 21 and list a whole slew of solidarity events you could attend. Finally, we wrap up the show with political prisoner birthdays and next weeks news. We're glad to be back! Send us news, events, or ideas on how our show can better serve anarchist activity in your town by emailing us at podcast@crimethinc.com. {August 15, 2018} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:00} Hot Summer Recap {2:20} Commemorating #Charlottesville {9:20} Fighting Fascism in DC {17:40} Repression Roundup {32:00} Next Week's News {37:50} Download 29:30 minutes long version. We have a Twitter! Follow @HotwireWeekly and send us news that we should include in the show. Read the flyer passed out by UVA Students United about why they chose to boycott the police-controlled rally at the site of last year's fascist torch march in Charlottesville. Get involved in the #PrisonStrike, August 21-September 9 It's Going Down has a comprehensive list of #PrisonStrike resources and support activities you can get active with. August 21 noise demos outside prisons and jails: Boston, 6 PM: a vigil at the South Bay House of Corrections. Corona, California: at 7:30 PM outside the Institution for Women Los Angeles: at 7:30 PM outside the Twin Towers Jail Minneapolis: Elliot Park at 8 PM Brooklyn, New York: at 7 PM outside the Metropolitan Detention Center Philadelphia: outside the Juvenile Justice Services Center at 7 PM Seattle: Red Square at 1 PM Leipzig, Germany: outside the US Consulate at 5 PM Anarchist texts and podcasts for this Hotwire: The Ex-Worker #50: The History and Future of Prison Strikes and Solidarity “Last Year They Came with Torches—This Year They Come with Badges”—A Report from Charlottesville, August 11, 2018 To the Charlottesville Anti-Fascists: A Message from the Mothers of Murdered Anti-Fascists in France Who Needs Fascists When We Have Police? Reflections on the Anti-Fascist Mobilization in Portland of August 4 It's Going Down's Twitter thread about the influence of the alt-right on how police treat anti-fascists Check out this photo gallery of a very good riot dog, Loukanikos. Bork bork! Anarchist prisoner Sean Swain is being held in solitary. Call Director Gary Mohr at 614–387–0588 or e-mail drc.publicinfo@odrc.state.oh.us or melissa.adkins@odrc.state.oh.us (Administrative Assistant for Mohr). You can use this script: “I am calling on behalf of Sean Swain, inmate #243–205. I am a friend of Sean. I am calling to request the ODRC grant Mr. Swain's appeal regarding his most recent disciplinary record, drop the charges, and lower his security level from 5b to 2. Mr. Swain is not a physical security risk, and there is no reason to keep him at such a high security rating where he will be unable to get the programming he needs to be eligible for rehabilitation and parole. Thank you for your consideration.” Use this straightforward guide to writing prisoners from New York City Anarchist Black Cross to write Joseph Dibee, [Hanif Shabazz Bey]((https://www.thejerichomovement.com/profile/hanif-shabazz-bey), and Little Feather. JOSEPH DIBEE #812133 Multnomah County Detention Center 11540 NE Inverness Drive Portland, Oregon 97220 Joseph is pre-trial, so remember not to refer to his case or write about anything illegal HANIF SHABAZZ BEY Tallahatchie Correctional Facility 415 US Highway 49N Tutwiler, MS 38963 Address envelope Beaumont GereAu LITTLE FEATHER Michael Giron 25201–075 USP Hazelton U.S. Penitentiary PO Box 2000 Bruceton Mills, WV 26525 address envelope to Michael Giron
Our last episode of the season! This episode is chocked full of May Day repression updates—from FBI visits in Washington state to the dozens of anarchists rounded up in Indonesia. The New School in New York City is occupied once again, and we have an audio report! The next J20 trial begins in less than a week. Teachers, tenants, and fast food workers are getting organized and striking back against their bosses and landlords. We close the episode with a long list of summertime anarchist fun that you can get into before we're back in the fall with more Hotwires. Make sure to check out our listeners survey and e-mail it to us! {May 9, 2018} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:00} Headlines: {1:22} Repression Roundup {15:40} Next Week's News {24:20} Download 29:30 minutes long version LISTENER SURVEY (please e-mail to podcast@crimethinc.com) 1) How often do you listen to the Hotwire? - More than once a week - Weekly - Once a month - Once a month or more, but I binge multiple episodes at once 2) How often, if ever, do you use… - The shownotes? - The phone numbers for call-in campaigns? - Next Week's News announcements? - References to past episodes and other podcasts 3) What are the Hotwire's greatest strengths? Biggest weaknesses? 4) Our shows have progressively increased from 30 minutes to up to 45 minutes. Is keeping the show to strictly 30 minutes important? How long is too long for an episode? 5) What topics are most useful/interesting when we cover them? What kind of coverage is lacking? Dozens of anarchists have been rounded up in Indonesia, and legal defense funds are needed. Go here to find out how to help. J20 support: Countering State Repression With Daniel McGowan Thursday, May 10 at 7 PM St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church 1525 Newton St NW, Washington DC, 20010 Free Rally to Drop J20 with Chelsea Manning and former defendants Friday, May 11 at 12:30 PM Franklin Square, Washington DC Call-in campaign May 10–11. Please be aware that your calls are likely recorded and we do not advise answering any questions about your identity. Please use your best discretion if referencing anything that occured on January 20th so as to not negatively impact the ongoing case. Jennifer Kerkhoff – Lead Prosectuor on the case, Deputy Chief of the Felony Major Crimes Trial Section (202) 252–7380 Lisa Greene – The Deputy Chief of the Superior Court Division, Kerkhoff's direct supervisor (202) 252–7485 Richard Tischner – The Chief of the Superior Court Division, Kerkhoff's direct supervisor (202) 252–7274 US Attorney for DC Jessie Liu – The person in charge of the US Attorney's office, a Trump appointee (202) 252–7566 Rizwan Qureshi - Assistant J20 prosecutor (general line - use directory/operator) (202) 252–7679 John Gidez – The Chief of the Felony Major Crimes Trial Section, Kerkhoff's colleague (202) 252–6752 John Borchert - Assistant J20 prosecutor (esp. Dreamhost and Facebook warrants) (202) 252–7679 Here's a sample script to get you started! “Hello. My name is __________. (first name is fine) I am calling about the inauguration day protesters still facing trumped up criminal charges. Your office needs to drop these remaining charges. There is no good reason your office should be pursuing these charges when six people have already been found NOT GUILTY on all counts in the first trial. Again, your office should drop the remaining charges. Over the last year these prosecutions have pushed all limits: Intimidation to coerce plea deals by making inflated charges. Shielding law enforcement from public accountability by issuing gag orders. Disrupting people's lives by making overblown charges and using those to justify intrusive, extensive investigations meant to build those cases. overall strategy to intimidate activists, disrupt social movements and silence dissent by weaponizing the use of trumped up charges is not going unnoticed. Your office has the power to end the repression and intimidation. Drop the charges now.” Sub.Media's Spring 2018 Media Mash-up Tour: May 11, Portland State University Workshop 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Public screening 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Smith Memorial Union 026 Hosted by Radical Education PSU May 12, The University of Oregon 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Hosted by Radical Organizing and Activism Resource Center & the Civil Liberties Defense Center May 13, Seattle University May 14, Olympia, Washington Chop Chop Video Making workshop Multimedia Lab 1404 in the Library Building Monday, May 14th 2018 * Workshop from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. *Ten participant limit! Email info@naaame.org. Public Screening at Traditions Fair Trade 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA Hosted by The Black Cottonwood Collective Mutual Aid Disaster Relief tour May 11 at 6 PM at Bad River Dept of Social & Family Services 72772 Elm Street, Odanah, WI 54861 May 12 at 10 AM at Bad River Dept of Social & Family Services 72772 Elm Street, Odanah, WI 54861 May 14 at 4 PM at YWCA Wausau 613 5th St, Wausau, WI 54403 May 16 at 7 PM at The Train Station 302 S Story St., Appleton, WI 54914 May 17 at 7 PM at The Train Station 302 S Story St., Appleton, WI 54914 May 18 at 7 PM at Breakaway Social Center 2424 S. Western Ave (rear) Chicago, IL 60608 May 19 at 9 PM at Breakaway Social Center 2424 S. Western Ave (rear) Chicago, IL 60608 May 20 at 10 AM at Art In 1444 E. Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 May/June: a month of anarchy in Quebec The anarchist film festival (May 17–20 in Montreal) The Montreal International Anarchist Theatre Festival (May 22–23 in Montreal) The Montreal Anarchist Bookfair (May 26–27 in Montreal) The North American Anarchist Studies Network Conference (June 1–3 in Montreal) Anti-G7 mobilization (June 7–9 in Quebec City) June 11, the international day of solidarity with long-term anarchist prisoners, is coming up soon. Start planning a letter writing night, a solidarity action, or some other way to let our comrades on the inside know that they are in our hearts and minds. Check out The second annual Institute for Advanced Troublemaking July 21–29 in Worcester, Massachusetts. Use this straightforward guide to writing prisoners from New York City Anarchist Black Cross to write to a birthday letter to Xinachtli, formerly Alvaro Luna Hernandez: Xinachtli* #255735 James V Allred Unit 2101 FM 369 North Iowa Park, Texas 76367 *Address envelope to Alvaro Luna Hernandez. (Birthday: May 12, 2018) Anarchist prisoner Sean Swain has called for a campaign to get his communication turned back on. Please call: Kevin O'Donnell Stanek, Asst. Chief Counsel to Governor Kasich: (614) 466- 3555; State Representative Doug Green (614) 644–6034; State Representative Hearcel F. Craig (614) 466–8010; State Representative Greta Johnson (614) 466–6037. Sample script: “I'm calling to bring to your attention an illegal effort by prison officials to terrorize an Ohio prisoner. The prisoner, Sean Swain, is a model prisoner, a published writer and a radio personality on a globally-syndicated radio show. Because Sean exposed how prison employees who were directed by ODRC Counsel Trevor Clark intercepted and stole Sean's mail from courts to hide their crimes, prison officials have shut down all of Sean's communication to the outside world…to his family, his friends, and even to the courts. Prison officials are blocking Sean's phone, email, and even regular mail. Their goal is not just to silence him, but to cut him off from everyone who loves him and drive him to suicide. “I want you to know that I'm signing an online petition that has 50,000 signatures already, demanding that the director of prisons resign, and I'm urging your office to make arrangements to speak with Sean. You can contact him by phone at the prison by calling his Case Manager K. Baessler at: (513) 932–3388, ext. 84405 or ext. 84410. Please know that if anything happens to Sean while he's being illegally silenced, I know a lot of registered voters, including me, who will hold your office responsible. The eyes of the world are watching.“ CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS: For last Hotwire's May Day roundup we reported that a Wells Fargo in Seattle had been smashed up and graffitied, but it in fact was in Olympia, Washington. Also, the US Bank that was smashed in Olympia was on May 2, not May 1.
As we go to press, hundreds of squatters and eco-rebels are battling against cops at La ZAD in France. We interview someone there, as well as a participant in The Syrian Revolution about the no-state-solution to the Syrian government's ongoing attacks on rebel areas. The treesits in West Virginia against the Mountain Valley Pipeline are expanding. Anarchist prisoner Sean Swain needs support. {April 11, 2018} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:00} Headlines {1:30} Rebellion across France {5:07} Interview about Douma, Syria and the Syria Revolution {17:54} Repression Roundup {25:40} Next Week's News {33:53} Download 29:30 minutes long version J20 support resources: POSTER: The J20 Prosecution—Trumped up Charges J20 Legal Defense Fund Twitter Fed book An Open Letter to Former J20 Defendants, with useful “do”s and “don't”s Teen Vogue: The J20 Arrests and Trials, Explained Tell the prosecutor's boss to drop the charges by calling (202) 252–7566 Enough is Enough has live updates in English from the resistance to the eviction of la ZAD. Check out the Anarchy in Action page about the Syrian Revolution for more anarchist perspectives on it. Please donate to help The Tower anarchist social center in Hamilton, Ontario recover from a fascist attack on their space. Other shows mentioned on this Hotwire: End of the Line, an ongoing podcast about the pipeline struggles in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. The Fucking News from Sub.Media The Final Straw: Charlotte Uprising: Repression and Resistance Go On Episode 50 of The Ex-Worker has an interview with about the Lucasville prison uprising and how it informs contemporary prison rebellion and organizing Get inspired to do something AWESOME for May Day by listening to the very first episode of The Ex-Worker, which is all about Haymarket. Anarchist texts mentioned in this Hotwire: We Don't Need Gun Control, We Need To Take Control June 11: The History of a Day of Anarchist Prisoner Solidarity The May Days: Snapshots from the History of May Day La ZAD: Another End of the World Is Possible The Southeast Trans and/or Women Action Camp, taking place April 26–29 in Western North Carolina, has had their donation page shut down twice, so if you have some bucks to spare you can donate at PayPal.me/setwac2018. Mutual Aid Disaster Relief tour April 11 at 6:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church 510 W Ottawa St Lansing, MI 48933: Giving Our Best, Ready For The Worst: Community Organizing as Disaster Preparedness April 13 at 6 PM at The Boiling Point 143 Burr Oak Street Kalamazoo, MI 49001: Protectors v. Profiteers: Communities in Resistance to Disaster Capitalism April 14 at 12 PM at The Boiling Point 143 Burr Oak Street Kalamazoo, MI 49001: Giving Our Best, Ready For The Worst: Community Organizing as Disaster Preparedness April 15 at 6 PM at Girls, Inc 1108 W 8th St Bloomington, IN 47404: Protectors v. Profiteers: Communities in Resistance to Disaster Capitalism April 16 at 3 PM at Girls, Inc 1108 W 8th St Bloomington, IN 47404: Giving Our Best, Ready For The Worst: Community Organizing as Disaster Preparedness April 17 at 6 PM at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee 2200 E Kenwood Blvd Milwaukee, WI 53211: Protectors v. Profiteers: Communities in Resistance to Disaster Capitalism April 18 at 6 PM at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee 2200 E Kenwood Blvd Milwaukee, WI 53211: Giving Our Best, Ready For The Worst: Community Organizing as Disaster Preparedness Use this straightforward guide to writing prisoners from New York City Anarchist Black Cross to write birthday greetings to political prisoners Janet Holloway Africa and Walter Bond. Janet Holloway Africa #006308 SCI Cambridge Springs 451 Fullerton Avenue Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania 16403 {Birthday: April 13} Walter Bond #37096–013 FCI Terre Haute - CMU Post Office Box 33 Terre Haute, Indiana 47808 {Birthday: April 16} Herman Bell still needs help to secure his release from prison: 1) CALL New York State Governor Cuomo's Office NOW: 518–474–8390 2) EMAIL New York State Governor Cuomo's Office 3) TWEET at Governor Cuomo: use the following sample tweet: “@NYGovCuomo: stand by the Parole Board's lawful & just decision to release Herman Bell. At 70 years old and after more than 40 years of incarceration, his release is overdue. #BringHermanHome.” Use this script for phone calls and emails: “Governor Cuomo, my name is __________and I am a resident of [New York State/other state/other country]. I support the Parole Board's decision to release Herman Bell and urge you and the Board to stand by the decision. I also support the recent appointment of new Parole Board Commissioners, and the direction of the new parole regulations, which base release decisions more on who a person is today than on the nature of their crime committed years ago. Returning Herman to his friends and family will help heal the many harms caused by crime and decades of incarceration. The Board's decision was just, merciful and lawful, and it will benefit our communities and New York State as a whole.” Start gearing up for a summer of anarchy in Quebec! The anarchist film festival (May 17–20 in Montreal) The Montreal International Anarchist Theatre Festival (May 22–23 in Montreal) The Montreal Anarchist Bookfair (May 26–27 in Montreal) The North American Anarchist Studies Network Conference (June 1–3 in Montreal) Anti-G7 mobilization (June 7–9 in Quebec City)
This week we speak with Dezeray, an anarchist involved in Mutual Aid Disaster Relief organizing in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Next, we interview Sam, an anarchist DACA recipient, about undocumented youth resistance. A number of political prisoners are in urgent need of support. Victorious striking workers show that direct action gets the goods. We remember Attica, the September 11 military coup in Chile, and Charlottesville. At the end we announce some anarchist book fairs and the Juggalo March on Washington. {September 13, 2017} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:00} Headlines {1:25} Feature: Autonomous relief after Hurricane Harvey {7:25} Interview with an anarchist DACA recipient {15:30} Repression Roundup {22:55} Prisoner Birthdays {26:55} Next Week's News {28:30} We interview an anarchist in Florida with Mutual Aid Disaster Relief. You can get the latest updates on autonomously organized relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma from their website and their facebook page. No Walls No Borders is also organizing in Florida after Irma. If you're undocumented and want to get involved in DREAMer activism, check out the United We Dream site to find a group near you. Back in February, CrimethInc. published a text titled “What Would it Take to Stop the Raids?” that seems even more pressing now that the president has announced the end of DACA. We also have new anti-border stickers and posters you can print or order, and a new book titled “No Wall They Can Build,” which charts 10 years of migrant-solidarity work along the US-Mexico border. Upcoming anarchist bookfairs: The Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair in Oakland, CA on September 16 at Omni Commons, 4799 Shattuck Ave, Oakland, California 94609. The Radical Book Fair pavillion at the Baltimore Book Festival September 22–24. The Houston Anarchist Book Fair on September 24 located at MECA, 1900 Kane St., Houston, Texas. The Insane Clown Posse released a useful promo for what to expect at the Juggalo March on Washington this Saturday, September 16. The promo complains about Juggalos not being able to join the military, which might turn some anarchists and radicals off from showing solidarity. The IWW's General Defense Committee and Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee's joint statement supporting the march argues that we should support the anti-repression efforts of Juggalos even though not every juggalo's politics will be perfectly in line with anarchism. Join a Running Down the Walls 5K fundraiser on September 17. Find out about runs near you here. Get your pre-orders in now for the 2018 Certain Days: Freedom for Political Prisoners calendar. This year's theme is “Awakening Resistance,” and features art and writings by Jesus Barraza, Fight Toxic Prisons, Serena Tang, Andrea Ritchie, Roger Peet, Sophia Dawson, Rasmea Support Committee, EE Vera, Herman Bell, Fernando Marti, Alexandra Valiente, Billie Belo, Arlene Gallone Support Committee, Marius Mason, David Gilbert, UB Topia, April Rosenblum, Design Action Collective, Sundiata Acoli, Crimethinc, Annie Banks, Mutope Duguma, Xinachtli, Zola and more. There's a call to disrupt the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Philadelphia from October 21st to the 24th. Read the call to action here. Past Ex-Worker episodes mentioned in this Hotwire: #29: Anarchism in Chile, Part I: From Popular Power to Social War #30: Anarchism in Chile, Part II #50: The History and Future of Prison Strikes and Solidarity #58: Not Your Grandparents' Antifascism We also mention The Chicago Conspiracy documentary about contemporary revolt in Chile and the recent interview with a Chilean anarchist that we published for the anniversary of September 11. For more anarchist podcasts, check out the excellent weekly anarchist radio show The Final Straw to hear anarchist prisoner Sean Swain's irreverent and lively radio productions. You can find out about a whole bunch of other anarchist podcasts through the new anarchist podcast network Channel Zero. Check out these reflections on last year's National Prison Strike, organized in large part by the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee of the IWW. We mention that almost 100,000 prisoners in Florida were not evacuated and left to the mercy of Hurricane Irma. Supporters organized a phone zap for September 9, but it's probably still a good idea to keep the pressure on and let the prison staff know that we are monitoring their inaction and that we stand with our incarcerated brothers and sisters on the inside. A similar phone zap was organized for prisoners outside of Houston after Hurricane Harvey, and it's probably still a good idea to keep the pressure on there as well. A bunch of calls to support political prisoners have been made this week: 69 year old Black Panther Party political prisoner Herman Bell was (assaulted by guards](https://itsgoingdown.org/political-prisoner-herman-bell-assaulted-guards/). Please write Herman a get-well card at his new address: Herman Bell #79-C–0262 Five Points Correctional Facility P.O. Box 119 Romulus, N.Y. 14541 Anarchist, disabled, latinx prisoner Coyote Acabo is in need of fundraising and letters. Please write him at: Coyote Acabo #316348 YJC Yakima Co. Dept. Corrections 111 N Front Street Yakima WA 98901 Ramsey Orta is coming up on one year of incarceration after the NYPD retaliated against him for filming Eric Garner's death in 2014. Please send Ramsey some letters to let him know we have his back. You can use this online form or his inmate address: Ramsey Orta, 16A4200 Franklin Correctional Facility P.O. Box 10 Malone, New York 12953–0010 We mention Dane Powell's courage on the streets of DC during Trump's inauguration. This video spells it out. 196 of Dane's codefendants are still pending trial, check out DefendJ20Resistance.org to learn more. For a good introduction to writing prisoners, check out this guide from New York City Anarchist Black Cross. Political prisoner birthdays: Sean Swain #243–205 Warren CI P.O. Box 120 Lebanon, Ohio 45036 {September 12} Leonard Peltier #89637–132 USP Coleman I Post Office Box 1033 Coleman, Florida 33521 {September 12} Here is this month's Political Prisoner Birthday Calendar.
As we build momentum towards the September 9th national prison strike, we want to reflect on lessons learned from past generations of prison rebels, as well as how we can maintain energy on September 10th and beyond. In Episode 50 of the Ex-Worker, solidarity organizer Ben Turk fills us in on some history of prisoner organizing in recent decades, recaps some of the solidarity actions that have taken place leading up to this year's historic strike, and offers perspective on continuing and deepening our resistance to prison society. We commemorate the death of Jordan MacTaggart, an American anarchist killed on the front lines in battle with the YPG against the Islamic State, and discuss international solidarity and the politics of martyrdom with Rojava Solidarity NYC. The death of John Timoney, former police chief and notorious foe of anarchists, prompts both glee and a somber reflection on the misery he inflicted on us. A member of Revolutionary Anarchist Action (DAF) in Istanbul discusses the background to the recent failed military coup as well as recent waves of anti-anarchist repression. A call for solidarity from la ZAD, news, events, and prisoner birthdays round out this packed episode. {September 7, 2016} -------SHOW NOTES------ Find a demonstration or event about the September 9th prison strike near you, or post it here if you're organizing one. We interview Ben Turk about the struggle against US prisons, including the upcoming September 9th strike and beyond. Wanna read more about some of the prison rebel history he mentioned? Learn more about the Attica uprising, Walpole and Men Against Sexism in Walla Walla, and especially the Lucasville Uprising of 1993, plus more recent upheavals including the Pelican Bay hunger strike against solitary confinement - which we covered as it was happening in Episode 9 - as well as the Georgia prisoner strike, the Free Alabama Movement, the Menard, Illinois hunger strike, the recent Bend the Bars Conference in Columbus, Ohio, and the Dying to Live hunger strike movement in Waupon, WI. Repressive cop extraordinaire John Timoney has shuffled off his mortal coil. Check out this commemoration of his miserable life by some anarchist comrades. Good fucking riddance, asshole! We discussed the recent death of American anarchist Jordan MacTaggart. Check out the send-off video produced as a tribute by Rojava Solidarity NYC. Also check out this lengthy article written last winter in which Jordan shares stories about his experiences fighting on the front lines. To learn more about the revolution in Rojava, listen to our previous coverage in Episode 36 and Episode 39, and check out Rojava Solidarity NYC's book “A Small Key Can Open A Large Door: The Rojava Revolution”. We shared an excerpt from an interview with Devrimci Anarşist Faaliyet (DAF), or Revolutionary Anarchist Action, an anarchist organization based in Istanbul, Turkey. Thanks to our friends at Crna Luknja in Ljubljana, Slovenia for sharing it with us. Learn more about DAF via their website or their Facebook page. The US “Justice” Department recently announced its intention to phase out the use of private prisons. Good news, right? Well… these anarchists don't necessarily think so. Either way, it's unquestionable that prison privatization has horrible consequences for the incarcerated; if you weren't already convinced, check out this massive expose by Mother Jones magazine about the corruption and brutality of private prison industry, written by an undercover reporter who actually got a job as a guard in a CCA prison; it's fascinating, horrifying reading. But the question is whether this reform will serve to weaken or strengthen mass incarceration in the long run. As Ben Turk mentions in his interview, the so-called “prison reform movement” led by such luminaries as Hillary Clinton and Newt Gingrich exists not to abolish prisons, but to generalize carceral logics across all of society. Check out the call for solidarity on October 8th with la ZAD, the anti-airport occupation in western France. Listen to our Episode 14 on squatting for an interview with a resident of la ZAD. Other upcoming events include Running Down the Walls, an annual 5 K run that benefits political prisoners and prisoners of war, on September 4th in New York City and on September 11th in Denver, the Fighting Future Prisons tour in Northern England, and the Red Warrior Camp's global weeks of solidarity to support the indigenous-led movement to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline, from September 3rd to 17th. Upcoming prisoner birthdays: Brian Vaillancourt M42889 Robinson Correctional Center 13423 East 1150th Avenue Robinson, Illinois 62454 {September 5th} Alexander Irwin #2016012934 St. Louis County Jail P.O. Box 16060 Clayton, MO 63105 {September 5th} Please note that Alexander is pre-trial. Do not write about illegal activity and assume that any charges from the state are alleged and falsely accused. Leonard Peltier #89637–132 USP Coleman I Post Office Box 1033 Coleman, Florida 33521 {September 12th} Sean Swain #243–205 Warren CI P.O. Box 120 5787 State Route 63 Lebanon, OH 45036 {September 12th} Steven Martin #2015017284 St. Louis County Jail P.O. Box 16060 Clayton, MO 63105 {September 22nd} Please note that Steven is pre-trial. Do not write about illegal activity and assume that any charges from the state are alleged and falsely accused. Greg Curry #213–159 Ohio State Penitentiary 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Rd Youngstown OH 44505–4635 {September 26th} Brian McCarvill #11037967 Snake River CI 777 Stanton Blvd Ontario, OR 97914–8335 {September 27th} Jorge P. Cornell #28152–057 FCI Petersburg Medium P.O. Box 1000 Petersburg, VA 23804 {September 29}
We're back with the second installment of our exploration of anarchism's complicated relationship with communism. Ex-worker's Russia correspondents Misha and Anastasia come to us through the fuzzy airwaves of history, reporting live from the Russian revolution and what the anarchists are up to . . . we'll see how that goes. We'll also hear some more feedback from everyone's favorite gubernatorial candidate, anarchist prisoner Sean Swain, as well as extensive coverage of eco- and animal-liberation actions and prisoner rebellions from around the world.
In our first-ever holiday special, Clara and Alanis take a whirlwind tour through two hundred years of blistering anarchist critiques of religion and morality. From romantic poets to guillotined dynamite artists, from Enlightenment philosophers to punk rockers, anarchists have never been so fiery as when they've denied the gods and affirmed our right to determine our own values. The discussion touches on direct actions against religion, the shifting politics of atheism, and the contradictions of Christian anarchism. Prison rebel Sean Swain responds to our episode on fascism, a murderous police department receives some crime stopping tips, and we offer anarchist reflections on Nelson Mandela's legacy, decapitated Lenin statues, and Finnish hockey riots. As the Greeks say: Merry Crisis and Happy New Fear!